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pbsthisdayinhistory:

December 7, 1941: Pearl Harbor Attacked

On this day in 1941, a surprise aerial strike was conducted by the Imperial Japanese navy against the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Japan’s goal for the attack was to use it as a preventive measure to keep the U.S. Pacific Fleet from interfering with its planned military actions across the world.

The surprise attack not only struck a serious blow against the U.S. Pacific fleet, but also served as the critical factor for the United States joining World War II.

George Macartney Hunter was a naval officer assigned to the USS West Virginia stationed at Pearl Harbor. Read his journal notes from that day.

Photo: A small boat rescues a seaman from the 31,800 ton USS West Virginia burning in the foreground (Library of Congress).

WAVY:

Navy F18 crashes in Va. Beach

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) - The Navy confirms to WAVY.com that an F18 jet has crashed in Virgnia Beach Friday afternoon.

Grazia Moyers, spokeswoman for the Virginia Beach Police Department, told  WAVY.com just before 12:30 p.m. what police believe is a military aircraft has gone down.

Commander Rosi with the Navy told WAVY.com the plane was an F18 Strike fighter squadron 106. Rosi added two aircrew safely ejected from the plane that was based in Oceana.

Further information is not available at this time.

Police are responding to the scene at this time and will assist the military and the State Police, Moyer added.

Virginia State Police have shut down Interstate 264 at Laskin Road in both directions, Sgt. Anaya with the VSP said.

Virginia Department of Transportation traffic cameras show thick, black smoke rising from the Birdneck Road area Friday afternoon around 12:30 p.m.

WAVY.com has a crew on the way to the scene and will have more as soon as it comes in.

photo via @kandidrops

Naval Ensign of the Kingdom of France

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Mothball Fleet Photos!

For decades, dozens of forgotten Navy and merchant ships have been corroding in Suisun Bay, 30 miles northeast of San Francisco. These historic vessels—the Mothball Fleet—served their country in four wars: WWII, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and Desert Storm. After a decade of impasse, the ghost fleet is slowly dwindling as the ships are towed out one-by-one for scrapping. About 15 retired ships are already gone; by 2017, the entire fleet will be just a memory.

Some great photos; even greater story.

(Source: thesemicullen)