Volume 9
tered burning buildings when logic and instinct would compel lesser people to move in the other direction .
Champions Edition
Thankfully , they found a way . For Pearl Harbor is also the story of a remarkable comeback . ( Learn More , courtesy of Military . com and You- Tube ) The Japanese thought they would strike an early and crippling blow to America ’ s Naval and Air capabilities . They failed .
Despite the advantage of surprise exploited by the Japanese planes and submarines , the feisty Americans at Pearl Harbor still destroyed 29 enemy aircraft , damaged 29 others and sunk or beached 5 mini-subs .
Firefighters make their way through the rubble after two airliners crashed into the World Trade Center in New York bringing down the landmark buildings Tuesday , Sept . 11 , 2001 . ( Photo Credit : Shawn Baldwin , AP )
Many of the 9 / 11 heroes were veterans . Nearly all were taught about the Pearl Harbor attack in history class . There was something very American about their response .
Six American battleships that were sunk or damaged during the attack , were restored , refloated and returned to service .
Survivors who were physically able to continue their service , fought on for the duration of the war or until wounded or killed .
Just as the Pearl Harbor heroes were likely inspired by the doughboys of World War I , the valor that we continue to witness among today ’ s military is at least partially the result of young men and women who want to live up to the legacies of those who preceded them .
Fearlessness is also the legacy of Pearl Harbor survivor Jack Evans . A 17-year-old lookout on the USS Tennessee during the attack , his memory of that day was that , “ Everything was on fire . Death and destruction everywhere .”
Yet the California native recently told The American Legion Magazine that he and his crewmates were not frightened .
“ Most people just set their jawline and went about doing their jobs ,” he said . “ There were very few who went into hysterics or anything of that nature . I really wasn ’ t scared . It was so frustrating to be in a situation where there is so little you can do .” “ You want to fight those guys and there was no way to do it .”
Charles Schmidt , National Commander of the 2.2 Million Member American Legion
For the United States , Pearl Harbor marked the beginning of a war . For the Empire of Japan , it was the beginning of the end .
About the Author
Charles Schmidt is the national commander of the 2.2 million member American Legion , www . legion . org .
81