Greenwich To Mark Anniversary Of Pearl Harbor Attack

GREENWICH, CT — Greenwich will mark the 83rd anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor on Saturday, Dec. 7, with a ceremony in the downtown area.

American Legion Post 29 will hold the ceremony at noon at the war memorial on Greenwich Avenue in front of Restoration Hardware.

"This is a day that can fade in people’s memories, especially as we unfortunately have so few left from the Greatest Generation that went to war and helped save freedom and democracy around the world," First Selectman Fred Camillo said in his weekly newsletter to the community. "It is more important than ever that we mark these days so please come and be part of this Post 29 ceremony."

On Dec. 7, 1941, the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service launched a sneak attack on the Pearl Harbor Naval Base on the island of Oahu in Hawaii. The attack left 2,403 U.S. personnel dead and 1,178 wounded and damaged or sunk several U.S. battleships.

The attack was a catalyst for the U.S. to enter World War II.

Gov. Ned Lamont this week announced that he directed U.S. and Connecticut flags to be lowered to half-staff until sunset on Dec. 7 in recognition of National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.

Additionally, Lamont announced that the state will illuminate the Pearl Harbor Memorial Bridge in New Haven – informally known by many residents as the Q Bridge – in red, white, and blue lights on the evenings of Dec. 6 and Dec. 7 in recognition of the anniversary. The bridge carries Interstate 95 over the Quinnipiac River and is named in honor of those who served during the attack. It is maintained by the Connecticut Department of Transportation.

"We owe so much to the World War II veterans who defended the United States and saved millions from oppression, especially those whose lives were tragically lost in the line of duty, including at Pearl Harbor," Lamont said in a news release. "The attack on Pearl Harbor is one of the darkest moments in United States history, and we honor the thousands of American servicemembers and civilians who were killed on that terrible day. On this Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, I urge all Connecticut residents to reflect on the sacrifices made by the Greatest Generation during World War II and everything they have provided in the name of freedom and liberty for all."

There are 18 servicemembers from Connecticut who were killed in the attack. Their names are engraved on a stone memorial located at the base of the Pearl Harbor Memorial Bridge near the intersection of East Street and Forbes Avenue. They include:

• Eric Allen of Darien (Navy, lieutenant junior grade, USS Enterprise)
• Henry Ludwig Carlson of Norwich (Navy, storekeeper 3c, USS Arizona)
• Edward W. Gosselin of Hamden (Naval Reserve, ensign, USS Arizona)
• Vincent M. Horan of Stamford (Army Air Force, corporal, Wheeler Field)
• Henry John Lanquette of Wallingford (Navy, coxswain, USS Arizona)
• John Kallervo Luntta of Collinsville (Navy, seaman 1c, USS Nevada)
• W.T. O’Neill Jr. of Glenbrook (Naval Reserve, ensign, USS Arizona)
• Stanislaus Joseph Orzech of Meriden (Navy, seaman 2c, USS Arizona)
• Richard Patterson Jr. of Berlin (Navy, shipfitter 3c, USS Arizona)
• Stephen Pepe of Bridgeport (U.S. Navy Water Tender 1st Class, USS Oklahoma)
• George Povesko of Bridgeport (Navy, seaman 1c, USS Arizona)
• Mike George Quarto of Norwich (Navy, seaman 1c, USS Arizona)
• Thomas James Reeves of Thomaston (Navy, chief radioman, USS California)
• William Eugene Seeley of New London (Navy, seaman 1c, USS Arizona)
• George Smith of New Haven (Army Air Force, private, Hickam Field)
• Gordon H. Sterling Jr. of Hartford (Army Air Force, 2nd lieutenant, Wheeler Field)
• Felix S. Wegrzyn of Bridgeport (Army Air Force, private, Hickam Field)
• Ulmont Irving Whitehead Jr. of Hartford (Navy, ensign, USS Arizona)