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BATTLE // 7 Dec 1941

Pearl Harbor

Hawaii · 21.365, -157.950

Cartographic map of the Pearl Harbor
United States Army, via Wikimedia Commons · Public domain

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Overview

On December 7, 1941, the Empire of Japan launched a surprise military strike on the United States Pacific Fleet at its naval base at Pearl Harbor on Oahu, Hawaii Territory. At the time, the US was a neutral country in World War II. The air raid on Pearl Harbor, which was launched from aircraft carriers, prompted the US to declare war on Japan the next day. The Japanese military leadership referred to the attack as the Hawaii Operation and Operation AI, and as Operation Z during its planning.

Overview adapted from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Significance

U.S. enters war

Result

Japanese tactical success

Forces & casualties

Troop strength

  • États-Unis390
    medium
  • Empire du Japon441
    medium

Empire du Japon fielded a 1.1 : 1 numerical advantage

Casualties

  • United States2,008
    medium

Commanders (4)

United States

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Related

6 sibling battles · 6 factions

Last verified May 2026
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