State Historical Society of Iowa

USS West Virginia on Fire during Attack on Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941

    Download Image Resource

Image
The black and white image shows the aftermath of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii with the  USS West Virginia aflame.
Courtesy of Library of Congress, "Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. USS West Virginia aflame..." 7 December 1941

Description

This black and white photograph shows the aftermath of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, with the USS West Virginia shown on fire in the harbor. Disregarding the dangerous possibilities of explosions, United States sailors are seen manning their boats at the side of the burning battleship to better fight the flames started by Japanese torpedoes and bombs. Take note of the national colors flying against the smoke-blackened sky.

Source-Dependent Questions

  • What type of destruction was captured in this photograph?
  • Why would a photographer have captured an image like this instead of focusing on the dead and wounded? Why would photographing a rescue effort be important?
  • How would this image have motivated Americans to join the conflict in the Pacific theater?

Citation Information 

"Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. USS West Virginia aflame. Disregarding the dangerous possibilities of explosions, United States sailors man their boats at the side of the burning battleship, USS West Virginia, to better fight the flames started by Japanese torpedoes and bombs. Note the national colors flying against the smoke-blackened sky," 7 December 1941. Courtesy of Library of Congress