“When I was young, I was not interested in history,” he said. Harner has some advice for the youth of today.įirst, he suggests embracing American history in school. Three and a half years after he heard the president’s “Infamy” speech, he ended his wartime service with the liberation of Pilsen, Czechoslovakia, May 7, 1945. He went on to serve in the liberation of Paris, Battle of the Bulge, and supported Patton’s 3rdArmy. Harner would find himself storming Gold Beach on D-Day. I had just turned 17 and I had an extra year of postgraduate school to go, so I knew I wouldn’t be going in right away.”īut when his time came, he was ready to enlist, he said. All the guys who were 18 were ready to sign up and join. “We all listened on the radio to the president’s speech and discussed it. “I can remember the spot where I was walking when I heard that the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor,” he recalled in a Defense Media Activity interview earlier this year. 8, 1941, before a joint session of Congress on the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, the day before. Roosevelt’s “Day of Infamy” speech on Dec. Harner remembers while in high school hearing President Franklin D.
He entered the Army at Fort Dix, N.J., on Aphe was a technician, fifth grade. Harner was born in Pottstown, Penn., but he now lives in Landsdowne, Va., about 175 miles from Washington, D.C. Linc Harner poses for a photo during World War II. They’re generally in their 90s, and about 245 die each day, according to the VA.Īt 95, Army veteran Lincoln “Linc” Harner still remembers the war. I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December seventh, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire.Reports from the Department of Veterans Affairs say about 240,300 World War II veterans are still alive in 2021. With confidence in our armed forces – with the unbounded determination of our people – we will gain the inevitable triumph – so help us God. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory and our interests are in grave danger. I believe I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost but will make very certain that this form of treachery shall never endanger us again. 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. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation.Īs Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy, I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense.Īlways will we remember the character of the onslaught against us. The facts of yesterday speak for themselves. Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. This morning the Japanese attacked Midway Island. Last night the Japanese attacked Wake Island. Last night Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands. Last night Japanese forces attacked Guam. Last night Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong. Yesterday the Japanese Government also launched an attack against Malaya. In addition American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu. The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. During the intervening time the Japanese Government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace. It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. While this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or armed attack. Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in Oahu, the Japanese Ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to the Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. The United States was at peace with that nation and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its Government and its Emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific.
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