At 0600 on Sunday, December 7, 1941, Japan launched the initial strike force of 183 aircraft. At about 0645, an unidentified submarine was depth-charged at the Pearl Harbor entrance. Subsequently, approaching unidentified aircraft were detected by radar. Although U.S. forces were on war alert, these indicators of the impending attack were not communicated to those in command. The first wave of aircraft struck at 0755 in an attack that lasted half an hour. After a lull, the second wave of the attack began at 0845 and lasted another hour.

Oahu's military airfields were attacked to prevent interdiction of the striking forces; several hundred U.S. aircraft were damaged or destroyed. Pacific Fleet aircraft carriers and battleships would be the primary targets. Fortunately, all three Hawaii-based carriers were at sea. The eight battleships in port were attacked with bombs and torpedoes designed for the shallow waters of Pearl Harbor. Five battleships and three other ships were sunk or beached; three battleships and ten other ships were damaged. More than 2,000 Sailors lost their lives in the attack, along with several hundred other service members and civilians.