Attack on Pearl Harbor

President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared, "DECEMBER 7, 1941- a date which will live in infamy- the United States was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan."

350 Japanese aircraft attacked a military port of the United States at Pearl Harbor on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, on that day. The Japanese sunk four American battleships and three destroyers and damaging 29 in total. The Japanese destroyed 180 planes and American millitary casualties were over 2341 (49 civilians).

President Roosevelt continued, "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 ... 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.

Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory, and our interests are in grave danger. With confidence in our armed forces- with the unbounding determination of our people- we will gain the inevitable triumph- so help us God."

But the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. omits those final words "so help us God," and omits any other reference to God on the Memorial.