TWO NEW LIMITED EDITIONS BY ROBERT TAYLOR COMMEMORATING
THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ATTACK IN PEARL HARBOR ON DECEMBER 7, 1941
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PURCHASE BOTH PRINTS TOGETHER AND RECEIVE A $100.00 DISCOUNT! EACH PRINT
IS $295.OO BUT BOTH MAY BE PURCHASED FOR $490.00! RECIEVE FREE A COPY
OF THE COMMEMORATIVE POSTER "REMEMBER DECEMBER 7TH!"
There are few truly defining moments in the history of a state - events
that touch every citizen and alter a nation's future in the course of
a few hours. What happened early on a December morning in 1941 stll reverberates
sixty years later. It ended the greatest depression in history and plunged
an unprepared country into a global war that it would emerge from as a
superpower - a terrible cost.
Early on December 7, 1941, the U.S. Pacific Fleet lay at anchor in the
tropical waters of the Hawaian Islands, in Pearl Harbor, personnel aboard
and ashore enjoying their customary weekend relaxation, many still asleep.
At ten minutes to eight the huge fleet came awake suddenly and without
warning. The world around them exploded. Within seconds, the harbor became
a flaming deathtrap, as Japanese dive and torpedo bombers attacked. Before
sailors could comprehend what was happening, bombs and torpedos had ripped
out the heart of the fleet. Four of the eight battleships were sunk; a
dozen more ships lay stricken and 2,400 men perished.
Robert Taylor's specially-commissioned masterpiece recreates desperate
moments during the second wave of the attack at about 9 AM on that fateful
morning. Having taken six torpedo hits and two bomb strikes in the first
wave's attack on "Battleship Row", the West Virginia is abaze,
her bows already low in the water and decks awash. Ignoring the risks,
crews push the navy tug Hoga alongside with firefighting equipment and
to pick up survivors. Overhead, Japanese Zeros swoop through the smoke,
leading the second wave attack on installations on Pearl Harbor's Ford
Island, to complete one of history's most devastating unprovoked declarations
of war.
Images of this imfamous attack on the American Pacific Fleet as it lay
peaceably in Pearl Harbor will become ever more significant as the years
go by. They provide visual documentation of the tragedy and are an enduring
tribute to both those who survived and those who never saw the sun set
on that momentous day in American history. With the personal autographs
of men who survived that day to authenticate it, this limted edition print
is a living historical treasure that will grow in value.
- THE SIGNATURES -
Lieutenenant John Finn, CMH
Awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for extraordinary heroism
during the first attack by Japanese planes on the Naval Air Station at
Kaneohe Bay. Finn secured and manned a .50 caliber machine gun mounted
in a completely exposed position under heavy machine gun fire from enemy
aircraft. Despite being seriously wounded, he continued to man his gun
and to return the enemy's fire until being ordered to leave his post to
recieve medical treatment. He subsequently insisted on returning to supervise
the rearming of three returning PBY aircraft so that they could seek out
the Japanese forces.
Machinist's Mate Lyndle Lynch
Lyndle Lynch was aboard the USS Utah, an auxiliary battleship built
in 1911 and being used as a gunnery training school. The Utah was hit
by two torpedos early in the raid and capsized at 0810. fifty-four men
are still entombed in the Utah, which now serves as a war memorial at
Pearl Harbor.
Seaman 1st Class Ken Swedburg
Ken Swedburg was serving aboard the vintage four-stack destroyer U.S.S.
Ward soputh of Peral Harbor in the early morning of December 7. 1941.
At 0645, the Ward fired on and sank a Japanese midget submarine trying
to enter the anchorage, the first shots of the war.
Chief Boatswain's Mate Richard Cunningham
Serving on board the battleship USS Arizona, Richard Cunningham was
helping tackle the fires on board after the ship was hit by two armor-piercing
bombs. At around 0810, a bomb penetrated her forward magazine and the
ship exploded with the loss of 1,177 men. Cunningham helped put out the
last fires. The Arizona was never recovered and today is a national memorial
visiited by thousands of people.
Chief Gunner's Mate John Land
John Land was on the USS Maryland on the morning of December 7. The
Maryland - "Old Mary" - was moored alongside the USS Oklahoma
when the Oklahoma was hit by nine torpedos and capsized with great loss
of life. Land and the crew of the Maryland helped in the subsequent rescue
of the men from the overturned vessel.
Chief Machininst Al Fickel
Joining the Navy in 1939, Al Fickel was a seaman serving on the USS
Pennsylvania - "Pennsy" - on the morning of December 7. The
Pennsylvania was the flagship of the US Pacific Fleet and in drydock at
the time of the attack, with her propellers removed. She was hit in the
second wave attack at 090. The damage was soon repaired and the Pennsylvania
went on to serve with distinction in the Pacific Theater.
Fireman 1st Class Quentin Pyle
Quentin Pyle served on the destroyer USS Bagely at Pearl Harbor.
Built in 1938, the Bagley was moored in the Southeast Loch, close to the
cruiser USS St. Louis, the only large ship to clear the anchorage during
the attack. wounded in the attack, Pyle went on to serve at Midway and
in the Coral Sea.
Chief Gunner's Mate Miguel Acuna
Miguel Acuna was serving aboard the repair ship USS Vestal on the
morning of December 7. Moored alongside the Arizona to complete scheduled
repairs to some of the battleship's equipment, two torpedos passed underneath
the Vestal, hitting the Arizona. The repair ship was pulled away from
the Arizona's burning wreckage by the tug Hoga.
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