15 Surprising Facts About Pearl Harbor You Probably Didn’t Know

Pearl Harbor is a name that echoes through history. We all know it was attacked on December 7, 1941, but there’s so much more to the story. As someone who’s lived and breathed Hawaiian history for years, I’ve uncovered some truly amazing facts about this fateful day. Get ready to have your mind blown! Here are 15 things you probably didn’t know about Pearl Harbor that will make you see this historic event in a whole new light.

1. The Attack Wasn’t a Complete Surprise

You might think the attack on Pearl Harbor came out of nowhere, but that’s not entirely true. In fact, the U.S. military had been on high alert for weeks before the attack. They knew something was coming, but they didn’t know where or when.

Here’s the kicker: just hours before the attack, two Army operators spotted a large group of planes on their radar screens. They reported it to their lieutenant, who dismissed it as a fleet of American B-17 bombers scheduled to arrive that morning. Talk about a missed opportunity!

2. The Japanese Used Midget Submarines

When we think of the Pearl Harbor attack, we usually picture planes swooping in from the sky. But did you know the Japanese also used tiny submarines? That’s right! They sent five midget subs to sneak into the harbor and cause havoc.

These subs were only 78 feet long and carried a crew of just two men. They were supposed to torpedo American ships, but they didn’t do much damage. In fact, the U.S. Navy sank four of them and captured the fifth. It’s now on display at the National Museum of the Pacific War in Texas.

3. Elvis Presley Helped Fund the USS Arizona Memorial

Here’s a fun fact that’ll make you say “Thank you, thank you very much!” The USS Arizona Memorial, which sits above the sunken battleship, got a big boost from none other than the King of Rock and Roll himself, Elvis Presley.

In 1961, Elvis performed a benefit concert in Hawaii that raised over $60,000 for the memorial. That’s about half a million dollars in today’s money! Who knew Elvis had such a big heart for history?

4. The USS Arizona Is Still Leaking Oil

The USS Arizona sank during the attack, taking 1,177 sailors and Marines with it. But here’s something that’ll give you goosebumps: the ship is still leaking oil, more than 80 years later.

About 9 quarts of oil seep out of the wreck every day. Some people call these drops “black tears” or “tears of the Arizona.” It’s like the ship is still mourning its fallen crew. Scientists think there could be up to 500,000 gallons of oil still trapped in the ship’s hull.

5. A Japanese Pilot Returned to Pearl Harbor to Apologize

This one really tugs at the heartstrings. In 1991, Zenji Abe, a Japanese pilot who took part in the attack, returned to Pearl Harbor. But he didn’t come to gloat. He came to apologize.

Abe told survivors he had been taught that the attack would be announced to the U.S. government before it happened. When he learned this wasn’t true, he felt terrible. He spent years trying to make amends and even became friends with some Pearl Harbor survivors. It just goes to show that even in war, there’s room for forgiveness and understanding.

6. The USS Utah Was Mistaken for Another Ship

The USS Utah wasn’t supposed to be a target. It was an old battleship that had been converted into a training vessel. But in the chaos of the attack, Japanese pilots mistook it for an aircraft carrier.

They hit it with torpedoes, and it sank in just 12 minutes. Sadly, 58 men went down with the ship. Today, the Utah’s wreck is still visible in Pearl Harbor, a silent reminder of the attack’s collateral damage.

7. Some American Planes Got in the Air

Despite being caught off guard, a few brave American pilots managed to get their planes off the ground during the attack. Two of them, George Welch and Kenneth Taylor, shot down several Japanese planes.

These guys had been at a dance party the night before and were still in their tuxedo pants when they jumped into their P-40 fighters. Talk about going from zero to hero in a flash!

8. The Japanese Left Key Targets Untouched

Here’s something that might surprise you: the Japanese didn’t destroy everything at Pearl Harbor. They left some really important targets untouched, like the repair shops, fuel storage tanks, and submarine base.

This was a big mistake. It meant the U.S. could repair its ships faster and keep its submarines running. Some historians think this oversight might have cost Japan the war in the long run.

9. A Civilian Plane Was Shot Down

In all the chaos, a civilian plane got caught in the crossfire. It was piloted by a guy named Marcus Poston, who was giving a flying lesson to a student named Sgt. Henry Blackwell.

Japanese fighters shot down their little Aeronca plane, killing both men. They were the first Hawaiian civilian casualties of World War II. It’s a sad reminder that war doesn’t just affect soldiers.

10. The Attack Inspired a Unique Tradition

After the attack, sailors started a tradition that continues to this day. When Navy ships pass the USS Arizona Memorial, everyone on deck stands at attention and salutes.

It’s a powerful sight to see a massive warship full of sailors all paying their respects. It just goes to show how deeply Pearl Harbor affected the Navy and how its memory lives on.

11. There Was a Second Attack on Pearl Harbor

Bet you didn’t know this one! There was actually a second Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, but it wasn’t during World War II. It happened in 1950, during the Korean War.

A guy named Shigenori Nishikaichi crash-landed his plane on the tiny Hawaiian island of Niihau, just west of Kauai. He tried to take over the island but was stopped by the locals. It’s known as the “Niihau Incident” and it’s a wild story that not many people know about.

12. The USS Arizona’s Bells Still Ring

The USS Arizona might be underwater, but parts of it live on. The ship’s bells were salvaged and are now used in the USS Arizona Memorial.

One bell is at the University of Arizona, where it’s rung every year on December 7th. The other is at Pearl Harbor, where it’s rung on special occasions. It’s a haunting sound that connects us to that fateful day.

13. Some Pearl Harbor Survivors Choose to Be Buried There

Here’s something that might give you chills. Some survivors of the Pearl Harbor attack have chosen to have their ashes interred in the wreck of the USS Arizona after they die.

It’s a special honor that’s only available to sailors and Marines who were assigned to the Arizona on December 7, 1941. They’re reunited with their shipmates in a solemn underwater ceremony. Talk about loyalty beyond the grave!

14. The Japanese Used American Radio Stations to Navigate

This one’s pretty clever. The Japanese pilots used Honolulu radio stations to help guide them to Pearl Harbor.

They tuned into popular Hawaiian music programs to navigate their way to the island. Who would have thought “Aloha Oe” could be used as a tool of war?

15. There’s a Time Capsule at Pearl Harbor

Last but not least, here’s a fact that looks to the future. In 2016, a time capsule was buried at Pearl Harbor. It’s set to be opened on December 7, 2041 – the 100th anniversary of the attack.

The capsule contains messages from Pearl Harbor survivors and items related to the attack. It’s a way of making sure future generations remember this important event. I wonder what people will think when they open it?

So there you have it – 15 mind-blowing facts about Pearl Harbor that you probably didn’t know. From Elvis to underwater oil leaks, from tiny submarines to time capsules, the story of Pearl Harbor is full of surprises. It just goes to show that history is always more complex and fascinating than we think. Next time you hear about Pearl Harbor, remember these facts. They’ll help you appreciate the full scope of this pivotal moment in history.