December 7 is the 77th anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor by Japan. Pearl Harbor survivors have met at the site every five years for four decades. But they're now in their 80s or 90s. Many of the survivors aren't able to participate in a 77th reunion. Still, others have made every effort to report for one final roll call.
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Illustration of Doris "Dorie" Miller defending the fleet at Pearl Harbor |
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| Miller after being awarded the Navy Cross |
Many military personnel risked their lives that day. Among them was Doris "Dorie" Miller, a Navy cook. Miller was unfamiliar with handling anti-aircraft machine guns. However, after he was given instructions and someone else loaded a starboard gun with ammunition, Miller fired the gun until he was out of ammunition. He then helped to move injured soldiers. For his heroism, Miller was awarded the Navy Cross.
The shocking air raid destroyed or heavily damaged 21 ships and 320 aircraft. The attack killed two-thousand, 390 people, wounded nearly 12-hundred others - and plunged the U.S. into World War II.
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