MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Surrounded by turquoise waters and covered with a variety of exotic vegetation and lively volcanoes, the Hawaiian island of Oahu doesn't seem a likely location for one of the most infamous days in history.
But on the morning of Dec. 7, 1941, the calmness of America's tropical paradise was shattered when a foreign sun rose on the horizon in the form of 342 aircraft launched from Japanese carriers 274 miles off Oahu's northern coast.
The two waves of enemy aircraft targeted U.S. Naval vessels anchored at Pearl Harbor as well as aircraft and troops at both Hickam and Wheeler Air Field. In less then two hours more than 2,400 Americans lay dead or fatally wounded, 12 ships had been sunk or beached and 164 destroyed aircraft were left in the wake of the Japanese Imperial Forces. One day later America entered World War II.
Although the attack on Pearl Harbor was more than 60 years ago, those who experienced it will never forget the memories of the attack and the devastation that followed.
Ruth Lee, attack eyewitness, and her 1-year-old son, Peter, were at home working in the garden that morning when she heard the first sound of bomb blasts, which she initially thought to be U.S. military bombing practices. As she looked to the harbor she caught the first glimpse of black smoke rising from the waters, she knew it was more than just routine operations.
"Sirens started going off, and then my phone rang," said the 90-year-old Oahu native. "My cousin called to tell me what was happening and to stay inside. The harbor was covered in smoke, and planes were flying everywhere. It was very frightening."
Although the residential areas were not a focal point of the attack, the skies above them were certainly filled with Japanese and the few American aircraft that struggled into the air.
"I saw a Japanese plane fly over my house and crash into the mountainside across from my home," said Lee in a recent telephone interview. "I was so excited that I tried calling the governor because all the other lines were busy."
At the same time in nearby Kapahulu, close to the Waikiki waterfront, Isabel Tam, Pearl Harbor eyewitness, was at home with her 1-year-old son, Leslie. When she heard aircraft flying overhead, she turned on the radio to find out that Pearl Harbor was under attack.
"I went outside and saw Japanese planes flying around and some American planes were chasing them," said Tam. "When I found out what was going on, I was afraid for my husband who was working at Pearl Harbor at the time. He was working as a carpenter on the boats in the harbor when the attack happened. His chest and thighs were hit by shrapnel, but thankfully was okay."
According to Tam, the residents of Honolulu were also in fear of a possible Japanese invasion of the island, which thankfully never came.
"We were all so surprised and the radio was warning residents to prepare to evacuate," said Tam. "Nobody knew what to expect."
Pearl Harbor, which Franklin D. Roosevelt aptly said was a day that would go down in infamy, was the first of many battles in the Pacific Theater over the next four years. After the Japanese surrendered in September of 1945, America was able to reflect on the valuable lessons learned, according to Col. Dave Darrah, Station commanding officer.
"I believe we learned two lessons from Pearl Harbor," said Darrah. "The first lesson is to pay attention to the world indicators and always be prepared to defend our way of life and national interest. Unfortunately, we continue to learn this lesson time and again- for example, September 11-many warning signs which we failed to heed as a nation."
Regardless of the toils of war, Japan and America have continued on a new mission for the past 60 years. One of lasting friendship, noted Darrah.
"The biggest lesson we have learned is that despite being on two opposing sides during WWII, we have demonstrated that we can overcome our differences and form an alliance that provides for the economic and political security of our two great nations," said Darrah. "Today, Japan is our staunchest supporter in this region, a fact that we are most grateful for."
Tranquility and peacefulness have since returned to Pearl Harbor over the past 60 years. Memorials are scattered around the area to forever remind people of the victims of the attack, but also to remind all who visit of how much two nations can grow no matter what the past.