The attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, left an indelible mark on American history as it propelled the United States into World War II. The attack resulted in the deaths of 2,403 service members and civilians, with efforts to identify the victims still ongoing. The aftermath also saw the imprisonment of over 100,000 Japanese Americans, many of whom were U.S. citizens, in concentration camps under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798. The attack was carried out by Japanese bomber pilots who received their orders on board an aircraft carrier before commencing their mission. Photos from the attack show the destruction and chaos that ensued, including the USS Shaw exploding, the USS Arizona burning furiously, and the USS West Virginia suffering a hit. The aftermath of the attack saw a jumbled mass of wreckage in the harbor and the US Pacific Fleet burning in its home base. The attack on Pearl Harbor remains a somber reminder of the cost of war and the impact it can have on a nation’s psyche.
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