Monday December 8, 1941

Honolulu is a complete disaster. The destruction is everywhere- the photos we have seen of Battleship Row are devastating. And to think that we had no idea this attack was going to happen. We thought we were safe from the war that was so far away. But that is no longer the case- the war has come to us.

Yesterday and today have been incredibly exhausting and the tragedy of the situation is almost unbearable. A total of 546 battle casualties and 313 dead were brought to the hospital. The total number of casualties- 1500- is unfathomable but it is the awful truth. We all work non-stop. There are such limited supplies it is becoming incredibly frustrating and we are lucky to get electricity or light for a few minutes throughout the day.


You wouldn't believe how hard it has been to identify all of the soldiers being brought in. Accurate records for the patients admitted to the hospital were not able to be kept. Not until yesterday afternoon was it possible to begin recording admission data. Even then the necessary information for each soldier could not always be found. None of the patients wore metal identification tags; and the service, health, and pay records of men were frequently missing.
I cannot stop thinking at Barney and hoping that he is not one of the hurt soldiers that is brought in. There is no way to find him but I just keep praying that he is safe and he will let me know soon enough. I hope he was one of the lucky ones.

I am still in shock about what happened. It doesn't feel real even though I am right in the middle of everything. I haven't been able to talk to my family back in Texas but I know they must be thinking the same thing that all of us are here. How could the greatest country in the world be attacked by Japan? But this is not the time to be afraid. We cannot back away and let the Japanese take victory.


President Roosevelt gave a national address today that I think was spectacular. I have written out his speech because I know that his words will be with a lot of us forever. In the speech, he declared war on Japan. It is frightening to think that we are entering another war but the President sounded so brave and reassuring at the same time that I know the entire country is behind his choice. I just hope that Honolulu, Pearl Harbor and the rest of the nation will be able to pick up the pieces of this horrible disaster and bond together in the face of tragedy.

Mr. Vice President, Mr. Speaker, members of the Senate and the House of Representatives:

Yesterday, December 7, 1941 - a date which will live in infamy - the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.

The United States was at peace with that nation, and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its government and its Emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific.

Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in the American island of Oahu, the Japanese Ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to our Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. And, while this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or of armed attack.

It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time the Japanese Government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. I regret to tell you that very many American lives have been lost. In addition, American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.

Yesterday the Japanese Government also launched an attack against Malaya.
Last night Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong.
Last night Japanese forces attacked Guam.
Last night Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands.
Last night the Japanese attacked Wake Island.
And this morning the Japanese attacked Midway Island.

Japan has therefore undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday and today speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation.

As Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense, that always will our whole nation remember the character of the onslaught against us.

No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people, in their righteous might, will win through to absolute victory.

I believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us.

Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory and our interests are in grave danger.

With confidence in our armed forces, with the unbounding determination of our people, we will gain the inevitable triumph. So help us God.

I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire.

Franklin D. Roosevelt - December 8, 1941

God Bless America.

Yours truly,
Pam