December 7, 1941
Pearl Harbor, Hawaii territory
Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service fighters attack a US naval base with the belief the strike would send the US a message to not interfere with the Imperial Japanese’s plans in Southeast Asia
The 3-hour surprise attack claimed the lives of 2,335 American forces, injured 1,143, and caused heavy casualties to the American fleet. Additionally, 68 civilians were killed and 35 wounded. The Imperial Japanese forces lost 64 lives while 1 officer, Kazuo Sakamaki, was found unconscious by a US soldier and became the first Imperial Japanese prisoner of war held by the US.
