[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

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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