Honoring the Legacy: 83 Years Since the Pearl Harbor Attack on December 7, 1941

The attack by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service on United States military installations in Hawaiʻi commenced at 8 a.m. on December 7, 1941, marking a pivotal moment in history. Dubbed Operation Z by Japan, this surprise assault targeted key locations, most notably the U.S. Navy’s Naval Station Pearl Harbor.

Other facilities under attack included Ford Island Naval Air Station, Hickam Field, and several air stations across the Territory. At this juncture, the United States had maintained neutrality in ongoing global conflicts, primarily in Europe and Asia. Simultaneously, Japanese forces engaged British and Dutch bases throughout the Pacific.

The repercussions of the attacks were immediate. On December 8, 1941, the United States formally entered World War II, aligning with the Allies. Other nations, including the United Kingdom and several Central American states, also declared war on Japan that same day.

The major Axis powers faltered in early 1945 due to Allied invasions, particularly during the campaigns in Italy and Normandy, alongside significant Soviet offensives in Eastern Europe. The European Theater saw its conclusion on May 8, 1945, following Germany’s unconditional surrender.

As U.S. forces progressed against Japan, the Japanese government declined to surrender in the summer of 1945. In response, the U.S. Army Air Forces dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August, leading to Japan’s eventual capitulation. Emperor Hirohito’s radio announcement on August 14 marked the beginning of the end, with formal surrender taking place on September 2, 1945, aboard the USS Missouri.

Among those who experienced the surprise assault firsthand was Lt. Cmdr. Solomon S. Isquith, the senior officer aboard the USS Utah (BB-31/AG-16). On the morning of the attack, Utah sustained severe damage from two Japanese torpedoes, leading to its eventual capsizing.

T.J. Cooper’s book, “The Men of the USS Utah: The Forgotten Ship of Pearl Harbor,” chronicles the events surrounding its sinking. Despite being the first U.S. Navy ship lost to Japanese forces, Utah’s plight was largely overshadowed by the infamous destruction of the USS Arizona, earning it the moniker “the Forgotten Ship of Pearl Harbor.”

Initially commissioned in the early 1900s, USS Utah played various roles, from serving during the Veracruz invasion in 1914 to acting as a flagship for President Wilson during World War I. Following the London Naval Treaty of 1930, it transitioned into a radio-controlled target ship, which ultimately played a role in its fate during the attack.

On December 7, 1941, Utah was mistakenly targeted as an aircraft carrier. Despite the awareness of its demilitarization, Japanese torpedo bombers struck, resulting in significant casualties. Lt. Cmdr. Isquith displayed remarkable leadership during this crisis, facilitating an orderly evacuation of the crew and organizing rescue efforts for trapped sailors.

Though the ship ultimately sank, Isquith’s actions earned him the Navy Cross and a promotion to commander. His subsequent naval career included overseeing salvage operations and commanding various vessels during the Pacific campaign.

The USS Utah Memorial now stands as a tribute to those lost and the legacy of the ship. Today, two prominent war memorials exist at Pearl Harbor: one for the USS Arizona, which entombs a significant number of its crewmembers, and another for the USS Utah, ensuring that their sacrifices are remembered.

As the 83rd anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack approaches on December 7, 2024, reflections on the past remain critical in understanding the impact of that day on the United States’ entry into World War II.

Edited with additional information by Christopher Fox Graham/Larson Newspapers

Sedona resident David Isquith retired with the rank of captain after 27 years of service in the U.S. Navy.