[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 26 (Tuesday, March 4, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1930-S1931]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  TRIBUTE TO THE NEW HAMPSHIRE PEARL HARBOR SURVIVORS ASSOCIATION ON 
                         THEIR 25TH ANNIVERSARY

 Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Mr. President, I rise today to pay 
tribute to the New Hampshire Pearl Harbor Survivors Association. Those 
brave men stood tall in perhaps one of the most tragic moments in 
American history. Against overwhelming odds, these great Americans 
fought to defend the United States. Their heroic actions were an 
inspiration to the people of the

[[Page S1931]]

United States and help propel our Nation to victory in World War II.
  Mr. President, I wish to honor the New Hampshire Pearl Harbor 
Survivors on the occasion of their 25th anniversary. They are our 
American heros and we applaud them for defending our country. I also 
wish to commend these brave men for touring New Hampshire schools and 
talking to our young Americans in an effort to keep Pearl Harbor 
memories and history alive. Those who fought in the war and were 
victims of the Pearl Harbor attack deserve a special place in our 
history books.
  My father was a Navy pilot who died in a war-related incident during 
World War II. I have a special place in my heart for these courageous 
men.
  When United States Army and Navy commanders in the Pacific area had 
received a final war warning on the 27th of November 1941, Hawaii was 
not mentioned and American authorities thought that the Philippines or 
Malaysia would be the possible target. Any potential attack on Pearl 
Harbor was therefore interpreted as a form of sabotage and no effective 
security patrol was established. Antiaircraft batteries around the 
harbor consequently had no ready ammunition and USAAF aircraft on the 
ground were easy targets as they were unarmed and grouped together on 
airfields for easier protection against saboteurs.
  On Saturday, December 6, 1941, many Army and Navy personnel were on 
the usual weekend shore leave when the destroyer Ward radioed that it 
had sunk a submarine early Sunday morning. The information, though, was 
delayed in reaching the high command and consequently the harbor gate 
had not been closed.
  At 7:55 a.m., on December 7, 1941 the first Japanese bombers attacked 
United States airfields and the fleet. Virtually the entire U.S. fleet 
of 94 vessels, including 8 battleships, was concentrated at Pearl 
Harbor and the disposition of troops, airplanes, and antiaircraft guns 
made effective defense almost impossible. When the last attack had 
ended about 2 hours later, the Japanese won a significant tactical 
victory since they had been practically unopposed. Within 2 hours, 
2,403 American servicemen and civilians were killed and 1,178 wounded. 
When the news of the attack reached the people of the United States, 
our country went into shock. Japanese capabilities had been 
underestimated and information about the fast-moving developments had 
been relayed too slow to the commanders in Hawaii.
  Pearl Harbor is a very poignant chapter in our history. We must seek 
to remember the grave sacrifice so many Americans made there. As a 
veteran, I am very proud to honor the outstanding patriotism of the New 
Hampshire Pearl Harbor Survivors on their 25th anniversary.

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