We are pleased to bring you a collection of historical photos taken immediately prior to, during and after the Japanese air attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on Sunday, December 7, 1941. We have also included a number of historical photos documenting the salvage efforts which followed the raid.
World War II was the first was involving the United States where photo journalism played a significant role in reporting and preserving the history of the conflict. These historic photos documenting the attack on Pearl Harbor and subsequent salvage efforts are all in the public domain and found in the records of the National Archives or the U.S. Navy Historical Center.
Interestingly, many of these photos were only declassified in the 1980's. Many have never been seen in print. We hope that you enjoy the collection.
Wars are fought by men. Many of these men die. Wars are begun by others, often less brave, who sit many thousands of miles from the death. Those who fought and died in the battles of World War II were, in most cases, honorable men, whether they be American, British, German, French, Japanese or from any one of the many other nations involved.
Each year, we pause to remember those who died on that morning almost 60 years ago. We remember not so as to bring back memories of a time when the world went mad. We remember not so as to condemn those who attacked us. We remember lest we forget those who died and lest we forget that we must never allow it to happen again.
USS Arizona (BB-39) Photos
At sea in the 1930's
In heavy seas in the 1930's
Burning after the Japanese attack - 12/07/41
Afire and sinking - 12/07/41
Sunken USS Arizona - 12/10/41
View from port bow looking aft - 12/10/41
Foremast, conning tower and top of turret #2 - 2/17/42
Turrets #3 and 4 - 2/25/42
Salvage aerial views of the USS Arizona - 3/21/43
Lifting underwater wreckage of the USS Arizona - 4/19/43
USS West Virginia and Tennessee
USS West Virginia and USS Tennessee in flames
USS West Virginia and the USS Tennessee following the attack
USS West Virginia - Aflame following the attack
USS California
Abandoning ship aboard the USS California
Sunken Battleship USS California
USS Oklahoma
Keel of the capsized USS Oklahoma
Stern view of the capsized battleship
View with ship in about 70 degree position - 3/19/43
View with ship in about 68 degree position - 3/19/43
Aerial view of pumping operations for re-floating - 11/03/43
USS Nevada (BB-36)
USS Nevada beached at Hospital Point
USS Nevada entering dry-dock on 2/18/42
USS Nevada was one of the first ships to return to action
Additional US Navy Ships
Aftermath of the attack on three stricken U.S. battleships
Magazine of the destroyer USS Shaw Explodes
Wreckage of the bombed USS Shaw in Pearl Harbor
Destroyers USS Cassin and USS Downes in dry-dock
Damage to US Military Facilities on Oahu
Aircraft damage at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
Burning barracks at Ford Island
Midget Japanese submarine beached at Bellows Field
Cleaning up the apron at Ford Island, Naval Air Station
Burned and wrecked hangar at the Naval Air Station
Wing from a Japanese bomber near the Naval Hospital
Burned B-17C aircraft at Hickam Field
Hangar and planes damaged and set afire by Japanese bombs
Machine-gunned army truck at Hickam Field
PBY patrol bomber burning at Naval Air Station Kaneohe
Japanese Aircraft
Aboard a Japanese carrier before the attack
Japanese naval aircraft prepare to take off from the Shokaku
Japanese "Val" bombers prepare to take off
Japanese "Kate" torpedo bomber prepare to take off
Japanese "Zero" fighter takes off from the Akagi
Aerial Photos of the Attack
Battleship Row during the attack
Taken from a Japanese plane during the attack
Battleship row during the attack
Battleship row right after the Arizona exploded
Planes and hangars burning at Wheeler Army Air Field
View from the hills to the north of the attack
