    [United States Statutes at Large, Volume 132, 115th Congress, 2nd Session]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    Proclamation 9831 of December 6, 2018

    National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, 2018

    By the President of the United States of America

    A Proclamation

    Today, we honor those who perished 77 years ago at Pearl Harbor, and we
    salute every veteran who served in World War II over the 4 years that
    followed that horrific attack.
    On December 7, 1941, America was attacked without warning at Pearl
    Harbor, Hawaii, by the air and naval forces of Imperial Japan. Just
    before 8:00 a.m., Japanese aircraft ripped through the sky, dropping
    bombs on ships of the United States Pacific Fleet and on nearby
    airfields and bases. The attack took the lives of more than 2,400
    American service members and wounded another 1,100 American citizens.
    The brutal surprise attack halted only after nearly two hours of chaos,
    death, and destruction.
    Despite the shock and confusion of the moment, American service members
    and first responders on the island of Oahu mounted an incredibly brave
    defense against insurmountable odds. American pilots took to the air to
    engage enemy aircraft, sailors took their battle stations, and medical
    personnel cared for the wounded. Many witnesses to the events of that
    day perished in the attacks, leaving countless acts of valor unrecorded.
    Nevertheless, 15 Medals of Honor were awarded--10 of them posthumously--
    to United States Navy personnel for acts of valor above and beyond the
    call of duty.
    Although the United States Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor was badly
    impaired, America did not falter. One day after the attacks, President
    Franklin Delano Roosevelt declared to the Congress: ``No matter how long
    it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American
    people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.'';
    And, in the weeks, months, and years that followed the brutal attack at
    Pearl Harbor, Americans united with a steadfast resolve to defend the
    freedoms upon which our great Nation was founded. Millions of brave men
    and women answered their country's call to service with unquestionable
    courage. These incredible patriots fought, bled, sacrificed, and
    ultimately triumphed for the cause of freedom.
    We are blessed as a Nation to have as examples the incredible heroes of
    World War II, who fought so valiantly to preserve all that we hold dear.
    Earlier this year, I had the tremendous honor of meeting Mr. Ray Chavez,
    who was the oldest living Pearl Harbor veteran. Ray passed away only a
    few weeks ago at the incredible age of 106. But his legacy is forever
    etched into our country's rich history, along with the legacies of all
    our brave veterans. They tell of the mettle of the American spirit under
    fire and of the will of our people to stand up to any threat. The
    selfless bravery and dedication of these extraordinary Americans will
    never be forgotten.
    Today, we remember all those killed on the island of Oahu on that
    fateful Sunday morning in 1941, and we honor the American patriots of
    the Greatest Generation who laid down their lives in the battles of
    World War II. America is forever blessed to have strong men and

    [[Page 5914]]

    women with exceptional courage who are willing and able to step forward
    to defend our homeland and our liberty.
    The Congress, by Public Law 103-308, as amended, has designated December
    7 of each year as ``National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.'';
    NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of
    America, do hereby proclaim December 7, 2018, as National Pearl Harbor
    Remembrance Day. I encourage all Americans to observe this solemn day of
    remembrance and to honor our military, past and present, with
    appropriate ceremonies and activities. I urge all Federal agencies and
    interested organizations, groups, and individuals to fly the flag of the
    United States at half-staff in honor of those American patriots who died
    as a result of their service at Pearl Harbor.
    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixth day of
    December, in the year of our Lord two thousand eighteen, and of the
    Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-
    third.
    DONALD J. TRUMP