US marks 75th anniversary of Pearl Harbor attack

US Secretary of Defence Ash Carter on Wednesday honoured the people who gave their lives at Pearl Harbor 75 years ago, saying their sacrifice led to the "stability and prosperity" the United States has enjoyed "in the decades since that harrowing time." Carter’s statement came as the US commemorated the 75th anniversary of the attack […]

US Secretary of Defence Ash Carter on Wednesday honoured the people who gave their lives at Pearl Harbor 75 years ago, saying their sacrifice led to the "stability and prosperity" the United States has enjoyed "in the decades since that harrowing time."

Carter’s statement came as the US commemorated the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, which sparked the country’s entry into World War II. Carter was in Japan where he met his counterpart, Tomomi Inada.

"We will never forget their courage nor the dedication with which they fought to protect our freedom and defend democracy in the aftermath of Pearl Harbor," he said in a video released on Twitter.

The defence secretary also noted the strength of the US relationship with Japan, saying Washington and Tokyo are "are not just allies, but friends and global partners."

Flags were lowered to half mast at the US Capitol in honour of the lives lost in the surprise attack, which killed 2,403 Americans and left the US Pacific Fleet in ruins.

In a speech the next day to Congress, president Franklin Roosevelt called it a "date which will live in infamy," and the US entered the war that lasted until the surrender of Germany in May 1945 followed by the surrender of Japan four months later.

The message from Carter was one of many tributes to the people who died in the attack and World War II veterans.

Hundreds of Pearl Harbor survivors, World War II veterans and members of their families are in Hawaii to attend a slate of events to commemorate the anniversary, including a solemn ceremony scheduled to begin just before 8 am (1800 GMT) to coincide with the exact moment on December 7, 1941, that the bombardment began.

Some 4,000 people – including 300 World War II veterans – are expected to attend the Wednesday morning ceremony.

Thousands more will watch the event live from the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument at Waikiki Beach and streamed over the internet.

Organizers of the commemoration started planning for the anniversary more than a year ago, mindful of the probability that it will be the last opportunity for a large-scale tribute to living Pearl Harbor and World War II survivors.

Local veterans and active duty military personnel this week welcomed dozens of Pearl Harbor survivors and World War II veterans back to Oahu.

Their plane was greeted by water cannon salutes as they taxied at Honolulu’s airport. Live bands, children in traditional dress and hula dancers extended the welcome as they made their way through the terminal.

Earlier this week the prime minister of Japan announced plans to visit Pearl Harbor later this month. Shinzo Abe is expected to join US President Barack Obama at Pearl Harbor on December 27.

Abe had been expected to announce a visit to Pearl Harbor after Obama’s historic visit to Hiroshima in May. (DPA)