Bush Says Era of U.S. Sway in Pacific Is Over
Vice President George Bush, marking the 40th anniversary of Japan’s defeat in World War II, said today that the era of U.S. Pacific dominance is ending and urged Asian nations to carry more of the military burden.
In remarks at a “Peace in the Pacific’ ceremony aboard the carrier Enterprise marking V-J (Victory over Japan) Day, Bush paid tribute to the more than 400,000 Americans who died in the war.
He criticized U.S. leaders who left the country unprepared for Japan’s devastating surprise strike against the U.S. Pacific fleet at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, drawing America into global conflict against Germany and Italy as well as Japan.
“Many brave Americans paid dearly for the folly of those who stuck their heads in the sand. . . . Let us on this day of remembrance pledge that we as a nation will never fall prey to complacency and unpreparedness again,” said Bush, who as a fighter pilot was shot down over the Pacific during the war.
He told his audience that the United States is resolved to remain militarily strong and face the future with confidence, but he added, “The era of American dominance of the Pacific, which was brought on by the Second World War, is coming to a close.”
“It is up to the other nations of the region to carry more of the burden for preserving the peace,” Bush said.
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