Civilians Killed in the Pearl Harbor Attack: Decoding the Truth

The December 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor stands as one of the most significant events in U.S. history. Yet, the narrative of the attack often overlooks the role that friendly fire played in the deaths of civilians, raising questions about the full impact of the raid.

Official Figures and Realities

According to official records, the death toll during the Pearl Harbor raid was 2,403, a figure that included 68 civilians. These individuals were mostly victims of improperly fused anti-aircraft shells that landed in Honolulu, a city that faced significant friendly fire

The U.S. National Park Service, which manages the Pearl Harbor National Memorial, publishes figures listing 48 civilian deaths during the raid. Such discrepancies highlight the complexities surrounding casualty records of this historical event. It is essential to understand the nuances to grasp the true impact of the attack.

Hidden Evidence: The Photo and Its Context

A photo of damage in McCully and King streets, a few blocks inland from Waikiki, provides a critical insight into the extent of the civilian casualties. This damage was secondary to the air raid and attributed to "friendly fire" from a 5-inch/38 US naval gun. The photo, taken 8 miles away from Pearl Harbor with no military targets nearby, was kept out of public view for many years after the assault.

The caption of a photo depicting the deaths of four longshoremen in a car, 8 miles from Pearl Harbor, highlights the inaccuracies in widely used accounts. These workers were in a car near Judd Street in the Kalihi-Palama neighborhood when they died. The so-called bullet holes and strafing were actually the result of shrapnel from US anti-aircraft shell fire designed to suppress enemy aircraft.

No Innocent Victims: The Truth Behind Casualties

The accepted figures of 68 dead and 35 wounded include at least 59 victims of friendly fire from anti-aircraft shells falling on Honolulu. This damage was not accidental; it was the outcome of jittery gun crews firing after the Japanese planes had already left their carriers. A significant number of these victims were Japanese Americans, with five members of one family and seven young men from a Japanese Christian Church dormitory dying when a shell exploded in a noodle shop.

In a moving account, Auntie Kaui described how she narrowly avoided death when she had to jump from exploding shells while collecting and eating mangos from the roof of her home.

Conclusion

The historical narrative of the Pearl Harbor attack often focuses on the military impact, but the civilian casualties reveal a more complex and human story. The casual attribution of civilian deaths to a Japanese aerial bombardment does a disservice to the truth, and it is vital to acknowledge the role of friendly fire and anti-aircraft shells in the loss of life. Understanding these details helps provide a more accurate and comprehensive view of the event.