On December 7, 1941, the Japanese, under the command of Admiral Yamamoto, launched a surprise attack on the American forces at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The attack inflicted heavy losses on the Americans who were caught completely unaware. Among the loses were 2,400 killed, six battleships sunk (including the USS Arizona), 3 destroyers sunk, 3 light cruisers sunk, and 164 aircraft destroyed.
Fortunately for the Americans, their aircraft carriers and heavy cruisers were at sea and remained untouched.
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