by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Eric Lockwood, Naval History and Heritage Command, Communication and Outreach Division
Yeoman 2nd Class Victoria Brunzell was immensely honored and humbled to be able to lay the wreath and salute those who fell in the Japanese attack which brought the U.S. into World War II.
“Pearl Harbor is such an important event in our nation’s history,” she said. “I think we do veterans a disservice to not honor their sacrifice. I couldn’t have been happier to participate in my own small way.”
Joining Brunzell were Lt. Cmdr. Ben Amdur, director of the Submarine Force Museum and Library, and officer in charge of Historic Ship Nautilus, Dr. Lara Godbille, director of the U.S. Seabee Museum, and John Pentangelo, managing director of the Naval War College Museum. At exactly 12:55, Brunzell and Mr. Pentangelo laid the wreath before the Tomb. This was the time in Washington when Hawaii was attacked. Afterwards, military personnel present saluted while civilians had their hands over their hearts as the U.S. Army's Old Guard played taps. The Naval Order of the United States sponsored the ceremony.
“Remembering what happened really helps me understand what it is to be an American, and what a responsibility it is,” Brunzell said.
74 years ago, six Japanese carriers launched 181 aircraft into the sky. Made up of dive bombers, horizontal bombers, torpedo bombers, as well as fighters, this squadron flew towards Hawaii—and war. Their mission: cripple the U.S. Navy in the Pacific. Nearly two hours later, they strafed, bombed, and torpedoed almost everything in sight, and caught America by surprise.
By the time it was done, more than 2,000 American’s lay dead, and more than 1,000 wounded. Of the 90 ships in port, 21 were sunk or damaged, 188 aircraft were destroyed and 159 damaged.
For more information on the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor visit the Naval History and Heritage Command Website at: http://www.history.navy.mil/browse-by-topic/wars-conflicts-and-operations/world-war-ii/pearl-harbor-attack.html.
The Naval History and Heritage Command, located at the Washington Navy Yard, is responsible for the preservation, analysis, and dissemination of U.S. naval history and heritage. It provides the knowledge foundation for the Navy by maintaining historically relevant resources and products that reflect the Navy's unique and enduring contributions through our nation's history, and supports the fleet by assisting with and delivering professional research, analysis, and interpretive services. NHHC is composed of many activities including the Navy Department Library, the Navy Operational Archives, the Navy art and artifact collections, underwater archeology, Navy histories, nine museums, USS Constitution repair facility and the historic ship Nautilus.
The Naval Order of the United States was founded in 1890 by descendants of New England seafarers who fought in the Revolutionary War. The Order's charge is to encourage research and writing on naval and maritime subjects and to promote the preservation of historic artifacts and memories of naval and maritime history.
For more news from Naval History and Heritage Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/navhist/.
