Remember Pearl Harbor Day
12/4/2009 - SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Just after 7 a.m. on Dec. 7, 1941, a sleeping giant was woken, fresh off the heels of the worst financial times in American history. The Great Depression starved families, wore down the country's financial epicenter and depleted a military that, not long before the depression, helped win a great war against tyranny.
But the day the Imperial Japanese Navy attacked U.S. naval ports and Army Air Corps bases on Hawaii, it also brought the realization that America was not prepared for war. The 82nd Training Wing's historian said that day was a revelation for the military, as well as the American public.
"We used to just build up our military when we saw a need for one, and then let the numbers die down afterward," Historian Todd Schroeder said. "We needed to be vigilant and prepared. This day showed us the importance of constant readiness."
More than 1,280 people were wounded and more than 4,200 lives were lost that day.
"Pearl Harbor Day is a day to remember the victims that perished in the attack and also to reflect on the lessons learned from it," Mr. Schroeder said.
In addition to the incredible loss of life and those injured, the attack on Pearl Harbor also affected the U.S. Armed Forces in several ways. The Pacific Fleet was severely crippled and more than 180 aircraft were damaged or destroyed.
Mr. Schroeder said Pearl Harbor Day contributed to the realization that a nation should always have a standing military.
Bill English, a World War II veteran and P-51 Mustang pilot in the Pacific Theater, said after the attacks on Pearl Harbor the choices were to join the military or be drafted.
"When Pearl Harbor hit, it was indicated the Armed Forces needed people badly," he said. "So rather than being drafted, I chose to voluntarily join the (Army Air Corps) Reserves. That way I could at least choose my branch of service and the job of my preference -- flying."
Although Sheppard Field was established prior to World War II, the effects of the country's involvement were felt as the U.S. began building up its military might.
Sheppard was created in 1941 as an Air Corps technical training center with the objective to merely train individuals as needed. However, the attacks on Pearl Harbor increased the need for trained service members.
According to "A Brief History of Sheppard and the 82nd Training Wing" on the base Web site, by April 1942, training officials had to start a class every six days to meet training requirements. By October, the school had to implement a 24-hour training day of three continuous shifts to accommodate the more than 7,700 aviation mechanics that Sheppard trained during World War II.
Mr. Schroeder said the events of Pearl Harbor also changed opinions about the military.
"Sometimes people don't appreciate military men and women. What those people fail to realize is that people in the military don't want to fight any more than others do. However, they are willing to put their lives on the line so that America's always ready for situations like Pearl Harbor," he said.
Mr. Schroeder said that Sheppard currently produces proud Warriors (Airmen) and other service members, preparing them to go out there and prevent incidents like Pearl Harbor from happening in the future and has been doing so since May 1941.
"I feel good about my part in service to country back then," Mr. English said. "I was able to help it in finishing the war. I'm proud I was able to serve my country honorably."
Read entire article at Air Education and Training Command
But the day the Imperial Japanese Navy attacked U.S. naval ports and Army Air Corps bases on Hawaii, it also brought the realization that America was not prepared for war. The 82nd Training Wing's historian said that day was a revelation for the military, as well as the American public.
"We used to just build up our military when we saw a need for one, and then let the numbers die down afterward," Historian Todd Schroeder said. "We needed to be vigilant and prepared. This day showed us the importance of constant readiness."
More than 1,280 people were wounded and more than 4,200 lives were lost that day.
"Pearl Harbor Day is a day to remember the victims that perished in the attack and also to reflect on the lessons learned from it," Mr. Schroeder said.
In addition to the incredible loss of life and those injured, the attack on Pearl Harbor also affected the U.S. Armed Forces in several ways. The Pacific Fleet was severely crippled and more than 180 aircraft were damaged or destroyed.
Mr. Schroeder said Pearl Harbor Day contributed to the realization that a nation should always have a standing military.
Bill English, a World War II veteran and P-51 Mustang pilot in the Pacific Theater, said after the attacks on Pearl Harbor the choices were to join the military or be drafted.
"When Pearl Harbor hit, it was indicated the Armed Forces needed people badly," he said. "So rather than being drafted, I chose to voluntarily join the (Army Air Corps) Reserves. That way I could at least choose my branch of service and the job of my preference -- flying."
Although Sheppard Field was established prior to World War II, the effects of the country's involvement were felt as the U.S. began building up its military might.
Sheppard was created in 1941 as an Air Corps technical training center with the objective to merely train individuals as needed. However, the attacks on Pearl Harbor increased the need for trained service members.
According to "A Brief History of Sheppard and the 82nd Training Wing" on the base Web site, by April 1942, training officials had to start a class every six days to meet training requirements. By October, the school had to implement a 24-hour training day of three continuous shifts to accommodate the more than 7,700 aviation mechanics that Sheppard trained during World War II.
Mr. Schroeder said the events of Pearl Harbor also changed opinions about the military.
"Sometimes people don't appreciate military men and women. What those people fail to realize is that people in the military don't want to fight any more than others do. However, they are willing to put their lives on the line so that America's always ready for situations like Pearl Harbor," he said.
Mr. Schroeder said that Sheppard currently produces proud Warriors (Airmen) and other service members, preparing them to go out there and prevent incidents like Pearl Harbor from happening in the future and has been doing so since May 1941.
"I feel good about my part in service to country back then," Mr. English said. "I was able to help it in finishing the war. I'm proud I was able to serve my country honorably."