Historic first: Japan leader to visit Pearl Harbor

Abe will hold his final summit meeting with the outgoing USA president during the trip to Hawaii.

Abe will be the first Japanese leader to visit Pearl Harbor, the cite of the 1941 attack that brought America into World War II.

In this Monday, Dec. 5, 2016 photo, Jim Downing, wearing a Navy uniform, answers questions during an interview in Honolulu.

We hope seeing the front pages from those days Wednesday revives and renews the pride our readers feel for those fearless souls who bore the brunt here in Hawaii during and after the attack.

The U.S fought for more than four years in the Pacific, winning by conducting a strategy known as island hopping. In the midst of the attack, he says he memorized the names on the tags of fallen soldiers while battling flames with a fire hose.

“In the hours after the attack, President Roosevelt promised that ‘the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory, ‘” Obama said.

A crewman on Baker’s ship, the USS Ralph Talbot, manned a.50-caliber machine gun, firing off 1,500 rounds and downing at least one Japanese plane.

The next aviator might have better aim, Downing remembers thinking. “Pearl Harbor as the focus also hides numerous ongoing power struggles that were taking place”.

Ireson was the guest of honor at a Pearl Harbor remembrance ceremony held Wednesday at the New Hampshire Veterans Home.

Bender and his wife are in Hawaii this week to attend the 75th anniversary commemoration of the attack.

“That’s what got us into World War II”, said Kelly. “Pretty soon, he strafed us again”.

“Weakness invites aggression”, said Downing. The tactic let the giant battleship slide into mud below. “I don’t think anybody was expecting something like that”.

The West Virginia lost 106 men.

More than 3,000 servicemen died on December 7, 1941, including 1,177 on the USS Arizona.

December 7 is also known as National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.

Ship musicians were playing the “Star Spangled Banner” as Sunday, Dec. 7, 1941, dawned and enemy planes filled the sky.

To this day he wears a hat with “Pearl Harbor Survivor” written on it, and he has a simple message, “Remember Pearl Harbor”.

He said most of the service members were scared but they did their job.

“I stayed at the Navy hospital for a short time”, he said.