Pearl Harbor personal observations

[foggydogg]

Fresh out of Submarine School, I reported aboard Pearl Harbor on December 6, '69, for assignment to the Pacific Fleet. On the morning of the 7th, the air raid sirens sounded to commemorate the date. I lived in a barracks on Ford Island, and had to take a launch to Main Base every day. We went past the Arizona twice daily; I was stunned by the oil sheen always present around the wreck. Although some parts of the ship were salvaged - especially the big rifled guns - they weren't able to access all the bunkers to retrieve much of the fuel oil; it was pretty gooey stuff, and once it cooled to ambient couldn't be pumped.
Rescue crews couldn't access much of the interior, both through battle damage and flooding; they did what they could, but after a few days, the banging they could hear coming through pipes and the deck finally stopped, and they knew there was no more hope for those Sailors who survived the initial casualty trapped below.
All 1,177 are still there.

[MoVolvos]

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Thank you for your service! Dad fled the communist and spent 20 years in the KMT regime in Taiwan as a liaison officer to the U.S. military. Came here and got his PHD due to his English skills. In Taiwan all able body males have a compulsory 2 years of military training. I think it would be great for all men. The discipline ingrained would better serve society as a whole unless it's in one of the terrorist nations. I suppose they would think it good also serving their cause.

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[BlackBart]

Fresh out of Submarine School, I reported aboard Pearl Harbor on December 6, '69, for assignment to the Pacific Fleet. On the morning of the 7th, the air raid sirens sounded to commemorate the date. I lived in a barracks on Ford Island, and had to take a launch to Main Base every day. We went past the Arizona twice daily; I was stunned by the oil sheen always present around the wreck. Although some parts of the ship were salvaged - especially the big rifled guns - they weren't able to access all the bunkers to retrieve much of the fuel oil; it was pretty gooey stuff, and once it cooled to ambient couldn't be pumped.
Rescue crews couldn't access much of the interior, both through battle damage and flooding; they did what they could, but after a few days, the banging they could hear coming through pipes and the deck finally stopped, and they knew there was no more hope for those Sailors who survived the initial casualty trapped below.
All 1,177 are still there.

I've never been to Hawaii, but that's a spot I would go visit straightaway. Pretty powerful memorial.

I wasn't aware that's why they never removed the bunker oil.

We recently flew through DFW, and before anyone else was allowed to board here in MT, they announced we had two honored passengers with us, who would get on first. Two guys in their 90s were headed eventually to Pearl Harbor for the anniversary. They had the hats with pins and badges you often see, but on the back of their jackets it said "Iwo Jima Survivor." My wife and I looked at each other and said Wow. Gave them a smile and pat on the shoulder as we boarded.

[abscate]

Late comeback to this one.

A military force attacking a military base is a “sneak attack”

Drones dropping missles into civilian cities on “ good intel” thst a “ known terrorist” is there is “ defending democracy”

What am I missing?

[RickHaleParker]

What am I missing?

You are missing limited. Defending a limited democracy.

We have the same conditions that we revolted against 247 years ago. Lack of representation for people that pay taxes. The battle cry was not no taxation. It was no taxation without representation.

Currently the represented are not taxed and the unrepresented are taxed.
No difference then 247 years ago ... we might as well return to the Crown

[xHeart]

... we might as well return to the Crown

NO! History is good https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_India_Company