Green Bay Reporter

Wisconsin Sen. Eric Wimberger tweeted in remembrance of those who lost their lives at Pearl Harbor on the 80th anniversary of the attack.

Wimberger posted, “Of the 2,403 American soldiers killed in Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, more than 50 were from Wisconsin. These young men, many still in their teens, hailed from Milwaukee, New London, Appleton, Markesan and so many other towns and cities across our state. These soldiers paid the ultimate price to protect our freedom and became the tip of the spear for The Greatest Generation.

On the 80th anniversary of this day which will live in infamy, we should take a moment to reflect on those who served and those who died for our country. We must determine to make the country they gave us, the greatest country in the world, just a little bit better.” 

The Wisconsin Veterans Museum exists to preserve the accounts of those who were in Hawaii on that day. Wisconsinite Arthur “Art” Rortvedt from DeForest, survived and went on to tell his story. Other Wisconsinites weren’t so lucky and lost their lives in the attack. 

On Dec. 7, 1941, Japanese fighter planes attacked the U.S. naval base near Honolulu, Hawaii. The attack killed over 2,400 Americans and wounded another 1,000. The day after the Pearl Harbor attack, President FDR declared war on Japan.

FDR said, “As Commander in Chief of the Army and the Navy, I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense. But always will our whole nation remember the character of the onslaught against us. 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.”