The Imperial Japanese Navy made its attack on Pearl Harbor on the morning of December 7, 1941. The surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, Oahu, Hawaii, was aimed at the Pacific Fleet of the United States Navy and its defending Army Air Corps and Marine defensive squadrons. The U.S. public was greatly offended by the treachery of the attack and rallied in support of the Armed Forces and the US Government's decision to enter World War II, initially against Imperial Japan. The attack damaged or destroyed twelve American warships, destroyed 188 aircraft, and killed 2,403 American servicemen and 68 civilians. However, the Pacific Fleet's three aircraft carriers were not in port and so were undamaged, as were the base's vital oil tank farms, submarine pens, and machine shops. Using these resources, the United States was able to rebound within a year. This attack has also been called the Bombing of Pearl Harbor and the Battle of Pearl Harbor but, most commonly, the Attack on Pearl Harbor or simply Pearl Harbor.

This part of the tour will make you realize what they went thru. It will make you stop and take notice of the amount of destruction and costs of lives from one day. When you see the movie of the footage recorded that day and then go aboard the Arizona Memorial, and look down and see the ship, and walk on top and read the names of all who gave their lives for your freedom that day, you'll be in awe. This is one stop that you need to make and if you have children, please be sure you tell them about this tragic day in history, so that they remember those many that gave the ultimate their lives.