Pearl Harbor Survivors: An Oral History of 24 Servicemen

On December 7, 1941, Japan waged a surprise attack on the United States Naval Base at Pearl Harbor. It was a major victory for the Japanese Navy, which in less than two hours destroyed 188 American planes, damaged another 159, and sunk or seriously damaged 18 U.S. warships. The battleships Arizona and Oklahoma were sunk. The battleships California, West Virginia, and Tennessee were badly damaged and would not rejoin the United States fleet for months. Over 2,400 American military personnel were killed and 1,178 were wounded. The Japanese lost 29 planes and pilots and five midget submarines and one large sub with their crews.

Here are 24 personal accounts of servicemen who survived the attack on Pearl Harbor. These accounts cover in detail the location of each of the men and his experience during and after the attack. Also included is general information about Pearl Harbor.

About the author: Harry Spiller served two tours in Vietnam with the Marine Corps. He is an associate professor of criminal justice and the author of Prisoners of Nazis (1998) and American POWs in Korea: Sixteen Personal Accounts (1998). He lives in Marion, Illinois.

 

Questions

1. How did reading "Pearl Harbor Survivors: An Oral History of 24 Servicemen" enhance your understanding of the events and impact of the Pearl Harbor attack?

2. Which survivor's story resonated with you the most, and why?

3. What aspects of the survivors' personal experiences stood out to you as particularly powerful or moving?

4. In what ways did the book provide a unique perspective on the Pearl Harbor attack that you may not have encountered before?