On Dec. 7, 1941, a surprise attack by Japan on the U.S. Navy base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii claimed over 2,400 American lives. A day later, the United States entered into World War II.
Today, the USS Arizona memorial will honor the man who was the ship’s oldest surviving officer. The ashes of retired Navy Lt. Cmdr. Joe Langdell, who died at age 100 in February, will be interred in the ship with full military burial honors.
Langdell, wasn’t on board when the attack took place at the naval base in Hawaii but rushed back to help rescue survivors and collect the remains of his fallen shipmates.
Nationwide, states have shown their respect to the lives lost on the tragic day. Governor of Connecticut Dan Malloy has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff to remember the military and civilian victims of the Pearl harbor attack.Malloy said he wants to recognize the extraordinary sacrifices of all who served in Pearl Harbor nearly 75 years ago and the military members and civilians who died in the attack.
Ohio Governor John Katich has also ordered that all flags in the state to be flown at half-staff from sunrise until sunset on Monday.
