Will County Gazette

Sen. John Curran remembers the lost lives at the Pearl Harbor attack as this year marks the 80th anniversary of that dreadful day in the history of America.

"Today marks 80 years since the Pearl Harbor Attack. 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," said Curran in a Facebook post.

The attack on Pearl Harbor was carried out on Dec. 7, 1941, by Japan, killing approximately 2,390 Americans, according to Reuters, and on the next day, the United States declared war on Japan. A dozen Illinoisans were killed in the attack, one of whom was 21-year-old Lt. John Dains from Mount Olive, and according to some, he was the first to shoot down one of the Japanese aircraft in the war.

The attack was targeted at the U.S. naval base near Honolulu, Hawaii and apart from those who died, around 1,000 civilians were injured. Moreover, 300 airplanes and 20 American navy vessels were destroyed.

Franklin D. Roosevelt delivered an address to the nation the day after the attack in which he said, "As Commander in Chief of the Army and the Navy, I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense. But always will our whole nation remember the character of the onslaught against us. 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. I believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost, but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us."