Did the US Actually Sink a Japanese Submarine Prior to Pearl Harbor?

Discover the historical fact behind the sinking of a Japanese submarine before the Pearl Harbor attack on December 7, 1941.

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Yes, the US did sink a Japanese submarine before the attack on Pearl Harbor. On December 7, 1941, just before the aerial attack, the destroyer USS Ward engaged and sank a midget submarine attempting to infiltrate Pearl Harbor. This incident was one of the earliest engagements between the United States and Japan during World War II.

FAQs & Answers

  1. What led to the attack on Pearl Harbor? The attack on Pearl Harbor was a response to US economic sanctions and military presence in the Pacific, which Japan viewed as threats to its expansion.
  2. What was the significance of the USS Ward? The USS Ward was significant as it engaged and sank a Japanese midget submarine, marking one of the first military actions leading up to the Pearl Harbor attack.
  3. How did the US respond to the Pearl Harbor attack? The US responded to the Pearl Harbor attack with significant military mobilization, declaring war on Japan and joining World War II.

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