"We've got to get the Nevada out of here," yelled Christopher to the engine-room operators as bombs dropped around them. "How long till we can get underway?"Christopher stared out at the raging inferno in front of him. Just a few minutes earlier, the beautiful blue Hawaiian sky had spelled the beginnings of a wonderful day. All of the ships across Pearl Harbor were preparing for Morning Colors, the ceremonial raising of the American flag. As they stood at attention awaiting the ceremony, numerous tiny dark specks appeared ...
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"We've got to get the Nevada out of here," yelled Christopher to the engine-room operators as bombs dropped around them. "How long till we can get underway?"Christopher stared out at the raging inferno in front of him. Just a few minutes earlier, the beautiful blue Hawaiian sky had spelled the beginnings of a wonderful day. All of the ships across Pearl Harbor were preparing for Morning Colors, the ceremonial raising of the American flag. As they stood at attention awaiting the ceremony, numerous tiny dark specks appeared in the distant sky. Moments later, hundreds of Japanese planes swarmed around them like bees. The attacking planes dropped bombs and torpedoes and rained gunfire down on them. On the USS Arizona, enemy bullets instantly killed every band member on deck. Explosions rocked the entire ship, causing the conning tower to sink into the ship's hull. Raging fires spewed putrid black smoke into the skies above her. The USS Arizona sunk to the bottom, killing almost every man on board. As she lay in ruins on the bottom of the harbor, the remainder of the fleet was fighting for survival. Caught off guard by the surprise early-morning attack, they desperately tried to fight back. It was December 7, 1941, a "date that will live in infamy."Where's our air support? thought Christopher. Are they attacking our airfields as well? Just last night, Wags told him the planes were lined up wing to wing to prevent sabotage. If the Japanese attacked the airfields as well as the harbor, there would be no planes to help them. The bombs would set off a chain reaction on the airfields, leaving nothing but burning planes and fuel. They were all sitting ducks, completely unprepared for the ongoing enemy air assault.The last time he saw Kevin, Brian, and BJ, they were racing toward their battle stations amid the chaos and confusion. Had they made it safely? Or were they among the bodies lying on the bloody, splintered deck below him? What about Wags, Will, and Jack? Did they survive the initial onslaught at the airfields? Either way, Christopher knew one thing. He had to get the Nevada out of Pearl Harbor."We've got power, sir!" screeched a voice over the intercom.Finally, thought Christopher. How could this happen?Historically accurate, Christopher teaches his young readers about the Japanese sneak attack on Pearl Harbor by living through it with them in this time travel adventure. A compelling and exciting way to learn our history, ensuring a new appreciation for the freedoms we hold dear.This book is the second in the Fighting Hawks series written to honor the memory of LCpl. Christopher B. Cosgrove III who was killed on October 1, 2006. The first book is "The Fighting Hawks at D-Day."
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