Dupage Policy Journal

As Americans marked the 80th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, Rep. Deanne Mazzochi (R- Westmont) stressed the importance of listening to the accounts of the survivors of the attack.

"It’s estimated that there are fewer than 100 survivors alive today from the attack on Pearl Harbor," Mazzochi posted on her Facebook page. "One of those is Illinois’ own Sterling Cale. FDR’s words remain true, Dec. 7 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.’”

According to My Journal Courier, dozens of Illinoisans were killed in the attack on Pearl Harbor. One of them was 21-year-old Lt. John Dains from Mount Olive, who some believe shot down the first Japanese plane in the war. After his death, he was awarded a Purple Heart and a Silver Star. William Arbuckle from Marshall was one of the 58 men who died on the USS Utah when it was bombed. Seven brothers in the Conlin family from Decatur served in the Navy, two of whom (ages 18 and 19) were among the 57 Illinoisans who died on the USS Arizona.

On the morning of Dec. 7, 1941, Japanese fighter planes attacked the U.S. naval base near Honolulu. The attack killed more than 2,400 Americans and wounded another 1,000, including civilians, as well as destroying or damaging 20 American Navy vessels and more than 300 airplanes. The day after the attack, President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared war on Japan.

Roosevelt delivered an address to the nation in which he 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 premeditated 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.”