North Cook News

The 80th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack was not lost on Rep. Deanne Mazzochi (R-Elmhurst) who stressed that it was important to listen to stories of those who survived the attack.

“It’s estimated that there are fewer than 100 survivors alive today from the attack on Pearl Harbor," Mazzochi wrote. One of those is Illinois’ own Sterling Cale.  FDR’s words remain true, December 7th is a date that will live in infamy in this country.  It’s important to listen and remember because in Cale’s own words, ‘When we’re gone, there will be no one to tell the story."

My Journal Courier reported that several service members from the state died in the attack, including 21-year-old Lt. John Dains from Mount Olive, whom some believe shot down a Japanese plane during the attack. Dains was posthumously awarded a Purple Heart and a Silver Star. Marshall-native William Arbuckle was working at a Woolworth in Champaign before enlisting in the Navy in 1941. 

According to the news outlet, he was one of the 58 men who perished on the USS Utah after it was bombed and seven men from the Decatur-based Conlin family served in the Navy, with two of them (ages 18 and 19) dying on the USS Arizona. In total 57 Illinoisans died on the USS Arizona, according to My Journal Courier.

History reports that the attack occurred on the morning of Dec. 7, 1941 as Japanese fighter planes covertly attacked the U.S. naval base near Honolulu. The attack left over 2,400 Americans dead and wounded over 1,000 civilians, along with the destruction of 20 navy vessels and over 300 airplanes. The next day, then-president Franklin Roosevelt declared war on Japan.

According to Time, FDR addressed the nation and said, “As Commander in Chief of the Army and the Navy, I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense.  But always will our whole nation remember the character of the onslaught against us.  No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premediated 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.”