LEXINGTON, Ky. (FOX 56) – “A date which will live in infamy.”
The immense weight of these words from President Franklin Roosevelt as he addressed the nation on Dec. 8, 1941, a day after the Japanese launched a surprise attack against the U.S. at Pearl Harbor continues to haunt Americans.
On this day, 81 years ago, 21 American ships were damaged or destroyed in an attack by over 350 Japanese aircraft.
Over 2,400 Americans were killed in the attack with another almost 1,200 injured.
Adm. Husband E. Kimmel became the commander-in-chief of the U.S. Pacific Fleet in February of 1941.
Kimmel, who was born on Feb. 26, 1882, in Henderson reportedly received numerous warnings about the potential of an attack, including a warning from the Navy Department, but no action was taken.
The Pearl Harbor historical website said the Navy Department advised Kimmel that he should expect “an aggressive move by Japan in a few days” after negotiations with Japan were terminated.
His counterpart from the Army, Gen. Walter Short, received a similar message from the War Department but neither man took any action.
After canceling a golf game with Short due to reports of an unidentified submarine south of Pearl Harbor, Kimmel went to the command center when he received word of an air raid at Pearl Harbor at 7:58 a.m. Hawaiian time.
At 8:05, Kimmel was hit in the chest by a stray bullet that came through his window.
Rear Admiral Husband E. Kimmel, in a good mood on hearing that he was to be appointed Navy commander of the U.S. fleet at Pearl Harbor, Oahu, Hawaii, on January 18, 1941. Kimmel would be relieved of duty after the Japanese attack on December 7. 
Rear Admiral Husband E. Kimmel, (retired), Commander of the Fleet at the time of the Pearl Harbor attack (right), and his son, Lieutenant Edward R. Kimmel, USNR, listen intently to testimony during the Congressional Pearl Harbor Investigation hearing. 
(Original Caption) Admiral Husband E. Kimmel, USN. 
Chuuk (Truk lagoon), Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). Here is the world’s greatest wreck diving destination. 
Aerial Photo 
Japanese navy airplane Betty bomber in WW2 Chuuk (Truk lagoon), Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). Here is the world’s greatest wreck diving destination.
After the events of Pearl Harbor, Kimmel and Short were relieved of their duties just days after the attack.
Roosevelt launched the Roberts Commission in 1942, headed by U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Owen Roberts, to learn the facts surrounding the Pearl Harbor attack.
127 witnesses were interviewed and eventually, the blame fell on the shoulders of Kimmel and Short.
The commission said both men were unsuccessful in taking proper action in accordance with orders received from their superiors.
Kimmel and Short disagreed with the commission’s findings.
Contradicting stories surrounding Kimmel’s culpability
According to an article from Pearl Harbor Oahu, Kimmel might have been a scapegoat for the negligence of the U.S. government.
Kimmel asserted he acted in the most appropriate manner he could given the limited information offered to him. He believed an attack on Wake or Midway Island was more likely.
Numerous military officials came to Kimmel’s defense but the commission affirmed actions by Kimmel and Short would have allowed the military base to not only be ready for the attack but would have been able to mount a counterattack.
In 1944, a Naval Court of Inquiry was convened and it was determined the Chief of Naval Operations Harold Stark failed to convey the degree of danger to Kimmel.
After Pearl Harbor
After having his four-star rank stripped from him he retired from the military in 1942 as a two-star rank of rear admiral.
Kimmel died in Groton Connecticut on May 14, 1968.
A statue of Kimmel was erected in downtown Henderson near the banks of the Ohio River in 2016.
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In 1999 the U.S. Senate voted to exonerate Kimmel and Short and requested President Bill Clinton to restore both men to their full four-star rank. Clinton, nor any of his successors, have acted on the resolution.
