The Japanese surprise attack on US military installations at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, happened 77 years ago today (Dec. 7) in 1941. The attack, which killed more than 2,300 US service members and 68 civilians, ushered in the US’s involvement in World War II.
One of the few military strikes ever to occur on US soil, the attack on Pearl Harbor also left 55 Japanese military members dead.
The sight of a foreign military attack wouldn’t be familiar to most Americans. These images from both American and Japanese photographers show the conflict and its aftermath from the air, as well as the chaos left behind on the ground.
Pearl Harbor Attack
Panoramic view of Pearl Harbor during the Japanese attack of Dec. 7.
AP Photo
Panoramic view of Pearl Harbor during the Japanese attack of Dec. 7.
WWII U.S. Pearl Harbor Attack
Smoke from the burning battleship Arizona spreads over the Pearl Harbor naval base.
AP Photo/US Navy
Smoke from the burning battleship Arizona spreads over the Pearl Harbor naval base.
WWII U.S. Pearl Harbor Attack
A photo taken by a Japanese photographer, near the beginning of the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor.
AP Photo/Toshio Hasimoto
A photo taken by a Japanese photographer, near the beginning of the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor.
USS ARIZONA
The battleship USS Arizona belches smoke as it topples over into the sea.
AP Photo
The battleship USS Arizona belches smoke as it topples over into the sea.
PEARL HARBOR ANNIVERSARY
American ships burn during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
AP Photo
American ships burn during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
Pearl Harbor Attack
US aircrafts destroyed as a result of the Japanese bombing on Pearl Harbor.
AP Photo/Department of Defense
US aircrafts destroyed as a result of the Japanese bombing on Pearl Harbor.
Pearl Harbor Attack
Flaming oil throws a billow of smoke skyward in the Japanese attack on Hickam Field, Pearl Harbor.
AP Photo
Flaming oil throws a billow of smoke skyward in the Japanese attack on Hickam Field, Pearl Harbor.
Pearl Harbor Attack
A Japanese plane flying over Pearl Harbor.
AP Photo
A Japanese plane flying over Pearl Harbor.
WWII Pearl Harbor Ships
Destroyers in drydock at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii are battered by bombs.
AP Photo
Destroyers in drydock at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii are battered by bombs.
WWII Pearl Harbor Ships
The wreckage of the USS Oklahoma.
AP Photo
The wreckage of the USS Oklahoma.
WWII U.S. Pearl Harbor Attack
Japanese bombs destroyed this hangar at the US Naval Air Station at Pearl Harbor.
AP Photo/US Navy
Japanese bombs destroyed this hangar at the US Naval Air Station at Pearl Harbor.
WWII Pearl Harbor Attack
Smoke from the attack is seen in the distance from officer’s quarters at Pearl Harbor.
AP Photo/Mary Naiden
Smoke from the attack is seen in the distance from officers’ quarters at Pearl Harbor.
WWII U.S. Pearl Harbor Attack
Fires are fought following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
AP Photo/US Navy
Fires are fought following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
WWII Japanese Attack On Pearl Harbor
A running soldier near a blazing house on the island of Oahu.
AP Photo/Joe Custer
A running soldier near a blazing house on the island of Oahu.
WWII U.S. Pearl Harbor Attack
Oil supplies are ablaze at this US Army airfield during the attack.
AP Photo
Oil supplies are ablaze at this US Army airfield during the attack.
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