73rd Anniversary of Pearl Harbor Attack

Dec. 7, 1941 is a day that America will never forget. Claiming more than 2,400 American lives, 21 ships sunk or damaged, and more than 300 aircraft lost, the attack on Pearl Harbor goes down as one of the worst attacks on American soil.

The Japanese attack came in two waves. During the first wave, six Japanese carriers launched 181 planes carrying torpedo bombers, dive bombers, horizontal bombers and fighters. Only 30 minutes later 170 more aircraft launched their attack on the Harbor.

The U.S. was able to repair all but three of the ships sunk or damaged. The three ships that were beyond repair were USS Arizona (BB-39), USS Oklahoma (BB-37), and USS Utah (AG-16).

This year marks the 73rd anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Here are some of the commemoration events being held across the fleet:

Pearl Harbor:

*    Burial services honoring Pearl Harbor veterans who were serve in on Oahu, Dec. 7, 1941, at the Utah Memorial, conducted by Navy Region Hawaii's Volunteer Pearl Harbor Survivors Liaison group.
*    The National Park Service and Navy Region Hawaii will co-host the 73rd Pearl Harbor Day commemoration at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center. Guest speaker Adm. Harry Harris is scheduled to introduce the featured speaker Pacific Air Forces Commander Gen. Robinson. The program will feature performances by the Pacific Fleet (PACFLT) Band and Kapolei High School, a moment of silence, ship pass-in-review, flyover, presentation of wreaths, Army cannon salute, and will end with a vintage aircraft flyby as Pearl Harbor Survivors and other WWII veterans depart through a Walk of Honor.
*    USS Arizona Memorial floral tribute following an official ceremony. Approximately 3,000 are expected including members of the public.
*    The National Park Service is hosting the annual USS Oklahoma Memorial ceremony on Ford Island Dec. 7, from 1:30-2:30 p.m. The Marine Corps Rifle Detail, PACFLT band, quintet and buglers will perform.
*    Four of the eight remaining USS Arizona survivors of the Pearl Harbor attack, now all aged in their 90s, will mark the end of an era for the USS Arizona survivors, who have announced this will be the final time they will come together. The survivors will pour a "final toast" to their shipmates in arms, drinking from original champagne glasses from USS Arizona.
*    The Hickam Field Pearl Harbor Survivors Volunteer with the Greatest Generation Foundation is hosting 14 survivors. They are scheduled to visit Hickam Elementary School and Hangar 15.

San Diego:

*    Pearl Harbor Day Remembrance aboard the USS Midway Museum with USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52) sailors and Pearl Harbor survivors.

Norfolk:

*    Annual remembrance ceremony with local Pearl Harbor veterans at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, Virginia Beach, Virginia.

New York City:

*    World War II-era aircraft will perform a fly over of the Statue of Liberty, dropping rose pedals in remembrance of Pearl Harbor Day.

Washington, D.C.:

*    The National Museum of the United States Navy will be hosting a discussion on the Pearl Harbor attack and the subsequent declaration of war with former Secretary of the Navy John Warner and retired Rear Adm. Edward Walker.

Mayport, Florida:

*    Annual remembrance ceremony with local Pearl Harbor veterans.

Navy Region Northwest:

*    Annual remembrance ceremony with local Pearl Harbor veterans.