Smoke Fills the Hawaiian Sky—The Bombing of Pearl Harbor. Type 1 Original Photo

This Type 1 original photograph offers a stark and haunting glimpse into the chaos and destruction of the Pearl Harbor attack on December 7, 1941. The U.S. Navy maintained strict regulations on the publication of graphic images from this devastating event, withholding many gruesome scenes from the public initially. It was not until a year later that the Navy permitted the Acme News Service to release this violent and heartfelt depiction, as was common practice to control the dissemination of distressing wartime visuals.

The photograph is strikingly graphic, capturing the U.S. naval base engulfed in chaos during the bombing. Thick smoke billows into the Hawaiian sky, a grim backdrop to the unfolding tragedy. Soldiers and civilians stand by, helpless witnesses to the catastrophe, as ships blaze with flames and sailors fight for their lives.

The caption on the reverse side provides further detail about the destruction depicted:

The painful nature of these scenes explains why the Navy delayed their release. The caption further underscores the caution exercised: "Editors: The Navy has ordered strict observance of the release date." That date was set for December 6, 1942, nearly a year after the attack. This powerful Type 1 original photograph was finally published by the Acme News Service (NEA) on December 11, 1942, offering the public an unfiltered view of the devastation.

This labeled Attack on Pearl Harbor, U.S. Navy/Acme Type 1 Photo, encapsulated by PSA and ready for display, marks a profound piece of history—an enduring testament to the courage and sacrifice of that fateful day. Truly, it is a solemn reminder of “a day that will live in infamy.”

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