West Cook News

As the nation remembers the devastating attack on Pearl Harbor on the 80th anniversary, Illinois state Sen. John Curran (R-Lemont) reflected on the thousands of Americans, including some from Illinois, who lost their lives during the tragedy. 

It was during the morning of Dec. 7, 1941 that a U.S. Naval Base near Honolulu, Hawaii, was attacked by Japanese fighter planes. More than 2,400 Americans were killed and another thousand, including civilians, were hurt during the violent invasion. More than a dozen Navy ships and hundreds of planes were either destroyed or damaged in the attack. 

"Today marks 80 years since the Pearl Harbor Attack," Sen. Curran wrote in a Dec. 7 Facebook post. "It was a day that will live in infamy. Today, we honor and remember the 2,403 Americans who lost their lives in that attack."

Fifty-seven Illinoisans, including two Conlin brothers from Decatur, were killed on the USS Arizona. Several other Prairie State natives were also killed during the attack. My Journal Courier reporter other Illinoisans killed during the attack on Pearl Harbor included William Arbuckle, of Marshall, who was one of 58 men killed on the USS Utah. Lt. John Dains, of Mount Olive, was just 21 at the time of his death. Dains is also believed to be the man responsible for shooting down the first Japanese plane in the war. 

The day after the deadly attack on Pearl Harbor, then-President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared war on Japan. He made a national address where he spoke directly to Americans and promised he had ordered every step to be taken to protect the country.

According to Time, Roosevelt said the nation wouldn't forget what happened in Pearl Harbor and "no matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory."