Hi, I am Jim, I love Kentucky, and traveling in and around Kentucky! I also love the entire country, and all of the beautiful and strange places here and there! This blog covers the overlooked, forgotten, and underrated places, people, and moments in history in America, with a focus on Kentucky! It will cover great tourists stops, books about people and history, and include photos and postcard scans.
Mackinac Bridge
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Fred Johnson- Pearl Harbor Survivor
We are coming up on the 59th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor!
I have sent notes to just about any one I can who has a connection to December 7th, 1941. Fred Johnson sent me a note to tell me about his service to this great country on that day and on the USS Maryland.
He said that he woke that morning to the sound of "All hands man your battle stations." As he headed to his station on the Admiral's Bridge he could see the Japanese Torpedo bombers headed towards the ship.
"I didn't pause for sight seeing." He also says "we lost more than 3000 men and several ships."
"If we learn anything from the encounter it should be to maintain a strong defence- our military should be upscale and out front. It should be first in training, first in technology, and first in the face of our enemies- future generations need to keep people in office who will work for this."
Fred also suggests that "Tora! Tora! Tora!" is the most authentic movie about the attack, giving viewpoints from both the American and Japanese sides.
Fred sent along this photo of him taken on his 95th birthday!
Fred, thank you for getting back to me, and thank you for your time in the military!
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