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Guest Commentary December 7, 2001
Remembering Pearl Harbor
The Honorable John D. 'Jay' Rockefeller IV
December 7, 1941, has lived in infamy for 60 years.
The Pearl Harbor attack lives in the American mind as a symbol of great treachery, inexcusable folly, and extraordinary gallantry. And on this December 7, it reminds us that America will recover from the crimes of September 11, and that we will emerge from our war on terror stronger and wiser than ever before.
Even in the devastation of that Sunday 60 years ago, even as Japanese commanders were signaling victory and celebrating what they believed was a crushing blow to our Navy and our national resolve, the first signs of their defeat were already emerging.
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We saw those signs in the actions of men like Capt. Mervyn S. Bennion, Commander of the battleship USS West Virginia. Though mortally wounded, he remained in command, earning a Medal of Honor by directing the ship’s defense until it was evacuated.
On that same ship, Cook Third Class Doris ("Dorie") Miller, exiled to the galley by a segregated navy, rushed to the bridge to aid his wounded captain and then to fire back at attacking bombers with a .50 caliber machine gun. Though never trained on the gun, Miller brought down three Japanese planes and earned the Navy Cross for his courage under fire.
Across America, recruiting stations were overwhelmed. Political leaders abandoned politics and partisanship for patriotism. And Americans of every background committed themselves to the sacrifices and support a war demands.
We see these actions echoed in the bravery of New York City firefighters and police officers, in the determination of the air passengers over Pennsylvania, in the courage of uniformed and civilian Pentagon employees, and in the tremendous outpouring of support from across the nation in the days and weeks that followed September 11.
Pearl Harbor was devastating. But the lessons we learned 60 years ago still serve us today, endowing us with:
A military that remains the strongest in the world, even in peacetime, allowing us to respond to provocations with devastating force;
A global security approach that allowed us to respond decisively within days of the September 11 attack;
And a confidence that allows America to shake off even the most despicable blow, come back, and win.
The treachery of that December 7, like that of September 11, surely revealed flaws in the ways this great nation defends itself. But that day taught us lessons that have kept conventional armies off our shores for 60 years. And they taught us that American courage – in uniform and in civilian garb – can match and overcome that of any foe.
Those who died that December 7 did not die in vain. Their sacrifice -– and the sacrifices of every veteran of that day and that era -– made America stronger and life safer for the millions of us who have come after. Their courage showed us how to respond in the face of danger and death. And their memory will continue to teach, to touch, and to inspire, as long as we remember Pearl Harbor.
John D. 'Jay' Rockefeller IV is a U.S. Senator (D-West Virginia) and writes an occasional column. The above is adapted from his column of December 7, 2001. To contact him, Click Here.
The above column has been distributed by PoliticsOL.com.
