Pearl Harbor: Declassified Accounts Unearthed After 82 Years

• Lesser-known aspects of Pearl Harbor attack.
• Surprise attack facilitated by radar station misidentification and lack of formal defense.
• Unexpected connections: Elvis Presley’s contribution and “black tears of Arizona.”

On the 82nd anniversary of the notorious attack on Pearl Harbor, a solemn bell tolled at 7:55 am, marking the exact moment when Japanese forces thrust the United States into a world war. While the annual commemoration pays tribute to the 2,400 lives lost in a mere 75 minutes, this year unveils lesser-known aspects that shed new light on the pivotal event.

1. Inspiration from Unexpected Quarters: Japanese Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto found inspiration for the attack in unexpected places, drawing from Hector Bywater’s novel “The Great Pacific War” and the British success at Taranto, Italy, in 1940.
2. Tragedy Aboard USS Arizona: The USS Arizona, a symbol of the tragedy, housed 37 pairs or trios of brothers. Shockingly, 23 sets lost their lives in the attack, along with a father and son duo.
3. Silenced Melodies: The USS Arizona’s band, US Navy Band Unit (NBU) 22, lost all 21 members who were on deck ready to play for the daily flag-raising ceremony.
4. Sinking of Battleships: Of the 102 ships at Pearl Harbor during the attack, eight were battleships, and seven were sunk, including the USS Arizona, USS Oklahoma, and USS Utah.
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5. Heartbreaking Keepsake: The USS Utah’s hull contains the ashes of a 2-year-old girl, brought aboard by a sailor who never had the chance to bury his daughter at sea.
6. Radar Station Oversight: Inexperience at the Opana Point radar station misidentified incoming planes from the Japanese fleet as American, contributing to the surprise attack.
7. Formalizing Defense: Despite having exclusive rights since 1887, the US formalized Naval Station Pearl Harbor in 1940 to deter Japanese expansionism.
8. Elvis Presley’s Contribution: In an unexpected connection, Elvis Presley played a significant role in funding the Pearl Harbor memorial, raising nearly $65,000 through a benefit concert in 1961.
9. Rallying Support: Contrary to demoralizing the US, the attack on Pearl Harbor rallied support for America’s entry into World War II.
10. The Enduring “Black Tears of Arizona”: Even 82 years later, the USS Arizona continues to leak oil, described by survivors as the “black tears of Arizona.” The National Park Service anticipates the leakage to persist for 500 years, reminding the world of the lasting impact of that fateful day.
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As the world reflects on this somber anniversary, these lesser-known aspects add depth to the historical narrative, ensuring that the sacrifice and significance of Pearl Harbor are never forgotten.

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