The attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7th, 1941, remains a defining moment in United States history. On that day, Japanese forces launched a sudden attack on the U.S. naval base in Hawaii, resulting in the loss of over 2,400 American lives and causing extensive damage to the Pacific Fleet and military infrastructure. This attack event prompted the United States to enter World War II, marking a turning point in both North American and global history.
Over the decades, various interpretations and myths surrounding the event have persisted, often leading to misunderstandings about its significance and details. This article clarifies some of the most common misconceptions about the attack on Pearl Harbor, setting the historical record straight while honoring the memory of those affected by this tragic day.
One of the most widespread beliefs about Pearl Harbor is that the Japanese attack came without any warning. While it is true that the attack caught the United States off guard, there were signs of growing tension between Japan and the U.S. in the years leading up to the attack.
Japan’s aggressive expansion in the Pacific, coupled with economic sanctions imposed by the United States, heightened hostilities. U.S. intelligence was aware of the possibility of a Japanese attack, but they misjudged when and where it would occur. What was truly unprecedented was the scale, precision, and suddenness of the operation on Pearl Harbor.
A conspiracy theory that has lingered for decades is the idea that President Franklin D. Roosevelt knew about the attack beforehand and allowed it to happen to justify North America’s entry into World War II. Historians have since thoroughly debunked this theory. There is no credible evidence to suggest that FDR or his administration had prior knowledge of the impending attack. Instead, the event unfolded because of intelligence failures and Japan’s meticulous planning, catching the United States off guard.
While Pearl Harbor is the most infamous target of December 7th, 1941, it was not the only location Japan attacked. On the same day, Japanese forces launched coordinated assaults across the Pacific. These included attacks on Guam, the Philippines, Wake Island, and British-controlled Hong Kong. The ambition of Japan’s military strategy extended well beyond Hawaii, aiming to secure dominance in the Pacific region.
It’s widely believed that the Japanese military fired the first shot of the battle, but this is not entirely accurate. The first shot of the day was fired by the U.S. Navy. Early on December 7th, the USS Ward, a destroyer stationed near Pearl Harbor, spotted and engaged a Japanese midget submarine attempting to infiltrate the harbor.
The USS Ward fired upon and sank the submarine nearly 90 minutes before the aerial assault began. This preemptive strike by the U.S. technically marked the first shots of the battle, though the devastating aerial attack that followed overshadowed it.
The attack on Pearl Harbor consisted of two main waves of aircraft targeting ships, airfields, and infrastructure across the island of Oahu. However, there were plans for a potential third wave, which would have inflicted even greater damage.
This additional strike would have targeted repair facilities and fuel depots, which could have crippled the U.S. Pacific Fleet for an even longer period. The Japanese command ultimately decided against a third wave, believing they had achieved their main objectives and wishing to avoid overextending their forces.
While the attack heavily damaged battleships, they were not the sole focus of Japan’s assault. Sinking these massive vessels was undoubtedly a critical goal, and much of the attack focused on them, but the aim was to neutralize the entire Pacific Fleet.
The Japanese strategy involved targeting a variety of assets, including 188 U.S. aircraft and the Wheeler and Hickam Army airfields. Destroying these resources would cripple the U.S. Navy’s ability to respond effectively in the Pacific. The Japanese had hoped to target the U.S. air carriers but were unable to locate them during the attack.
Some speculate that the absence of U.S. aircraft carriers at Pearl Harbor on December 7th was part of a calculated move by the military or President Roosevelt’s administration. However, this is not the case.
During the attack, the USS Lexington was on a mission to deliver aircraft to Midway Island. Similarly, the USS Enterprise was en route to Pearl Harbor after completing a mission to deliver fighter planes to Wake Island. Their absence from Pearl Harbor during the attack was purely coincidental, though it proved fortuitous for the U.S. Navy, ultimately sparing them from destruction.
Often, many attribute the iconic quote, “I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant,” to Japanese Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, suggesting that the attack on Pearl Harbor stirred the United States into action. However, there is no historical evidence that Yamamoto said or wrote these words. Instead, the quote originated from the 1970 movie Tora! Tora! Tora! While the U.S. was by no means a passive “sleeping giant,” the attack galvanized the nation and prompted an unparalleled mobilization effort.
By addressing and dispelling common misconceptions about the attack on Pearl Harbor, we can better honor the memory of those who lived through it. Understanding the true history of Pearl Harbor means acknowledging its complexities and paying respect to the lives it impacted.
Pearlharbortour.org believes the best way to deepen your knowledge is by visiting the historic sites themselves. Touring Pearl Harbor offers a chance to see the places where history unfolded and to connect with the stories of those who experienced the attack firsthand.
Pearlharbortour.org offers in-depth public and private tours of the most significant sites of World War II, including Battleship Missouri Memorial tours on Oahu. Explore our tour packages on our website and immerse yourself in the enduring legacy of this historical landmark.