Pearl Harbor Remembered - 70th Anniversary

Bill Durette of the Charlestown Historical Society Veteran's Project forwarded this info

"In the early morning hours of December 7, 1941, the Japanese suddenly and without warning launched a surprise air attack on the U.S. Naval Base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. After just two hours of bombing, more than 2,400 Americans were dead, 21 ships* had either been sunk or damaged, and more than 188 U.S. aircraft destroyed. The attack at Pearl Harbor so outraged Americans that the U.S. abandoned its policy of isolationism and declared war on Japan the following day officially bringing the United States into World War II.

This one event would go on and affect every family in Charlestown. By wars end practically every family had their sons serving and in many cases fathers, sons and sisters would serve during the war. For this we must remember their sacrifice and appreciate how they fought to bring peace to the World and preserve our way of life.

KNOWN CHARLESTOWN MEN WHO WERE PRESENT DURING THE ATTACK ON PEARL HARBOR

JAMES D GODDING - US MARINE CORPS
ALBERT J LAPRISE - US ARMY, 212 BUNKER HILL STREET
JAMES E FITZPATRICK - US ARMY, 17 MYSTIC STREET
CHESTER R HOWIESON - US ARMY, 145 BUNKER HILL STREET
JOHN J O’BRIEN – US NAVY, 69 TREMONT STREET

Source - Charlestown Veterans History Project