Remember Pearl Harbor

John Pence

I was reminded yesterday while filing documents related to the Chariton High School Class of 1938 of the impact World War II had on members of that class as well as, of course, on an entire generation and those of us in generations that have followed.

Six who graduated that spring died while in service during that war --- Beryl L. Clark, Prosdocimo "Dutch" Della Betta, Lucile Jervis, Andy Knapp, Lyle Mosbey and John Pence.

Of the six, John Pence was the first --- on Dec. 7, 1941. Temporarily berthed ashore while his assigned ship underwent repairs, he rushed to board the U.S.S. Pennsylvania as Japanese aircraft attacked Pearl Harbor to help man that battleship's anti-aircraft batteries. Then a 1,000-pound Japanese bomb struck the starboard side of the Pennsylvania and 28 men, including John, were killed. Identifiable remains never were recovered. You can read more about John here.

Dec. 7, 1941, was a Sunday --- and the early-morning attack in the Pacific occurred just after noon, Iowa time. The next morning, Dec. 8, The Chariton Leader published the hastily assembled "Extra," above, to commemorate the attack.

Also on Dec. 8, the United States declared war on Japan. Declarations of war against Germany and Italy followed on Dec. 11 --- and the rest is, as they say, history.

"Remember Pearl Harbor" remained a rallying cry in the United States throughout the war, as commemorated in this hugely popular march written by Sammy Kaye and recorded first by his orchestra 10 days after the attack. I hope you'll remember Pearl Harbor today, too.