FILE- In this June 3, 2015 file photo provided by the U.S. Navy, sailors work to repair the floating dock next to the USS Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, after the USNS Mercy hospital ship struck the memorial's dock in May as it was leaving Pearl Harbor. Japan's first lady has visited Pearl Harbor for the first time to pay tribute to the victims of the Japanese attack 75 years ago. Akie Abe said in her Facebook entry Monday, Aug. 22, 2016, that she laid flowers and prayed at the USS Arizona Memorial. "I offered flowers and a prayer," she wrote in a short message. (Laurie Dexter/The U.S. Navy via AP, File)
On a quiet Sunday morning, the Pearl Harbor naval base in Hawaii was devastated by a surprise blitz of Japanese warplanes. When it was over, more than 23-hundred Americans were dead, another eleven-hundred were wounded and five battleships including the USS Arizona were sunk or severely damaged. More than 180 aircraft were also destroyed. The attack dealt a crippling blow to the U.S. Pacific fleet and drew the United States into World War Two. It stood as the deadliest attack on America until the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001.