6,000 Mark 47th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor Attack Today

Sailors past and present, history buffs, tourists and others will gather today to mark the 47th anniversary of the surprise Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor that plunged the United States into World War II.

The National Park Service said it expected 6,000 people to mark the fateful attack at its public ceremony on the harbor’s shore.

“Obviously, this being the 47th year, the ceremonies won’t be as big as for the 50th year,” media coordinator Dan Martinez said. “We’re already planning for that anniversary, but every year is important. There will be survivors here this year that might not make it to the 50th.”

Private Ceremony on Memorial

The Navy planned a private ceremony on the Arizona Memorial, which spans the sunken hull of the Arizona as a tribute to the 1,177 men who went down with the ship. The Arizona was one of 21 ships damaged or destroyed in the attack.

The air attack on the Pearl Harbor naval base and other Hawaii military installations killed about 2,400 people and wounded 1,200.

At 7:55 a.m., the moment the first bombs fell on that Sunday morning, a moment of silence will be observed, after which Hawaii Air National Guard jets will fly over in the missing man formation. A Navy ship is to sail past the memorial, and wreaths and flowers will be presented as the national anthem and Navy hymn are played.

Adm. David E. Jeremiah, commander in chief of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, is the scheduled keynote speaker at the Navy ceremony, with his remarks to be followed by prayers, a 21-gun salute and Marine Corps buglers playing “Taps.”