Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day is observed every year on December 7th in the United States. This solemn day commemorates the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese navy in 1941, which thrust the US into World War II. Many brave American service members lost their lives that fateful morning. To honor their sacrifice, Americans across the country take time on this day to reflect, remember, and pay tribute to those who served.
As we approach Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day this year, let’s challenge ourselves and our loved ones to learn more about this pivotal moment in US history. Riddles and brain teasers are a fun, engaging way to expand our knowledge. Below are 77 riddles about the attack on Pearl Harbor and its aftermath. Covering key facts, figures, people, places, and events, these riddles will test your Pearl Harbor IQ!
Riddles
1. What Hawaiian island was the location of Pearl Harbor?
Oahu
2. On what date did the attack on Pearl Harbor occur in 1941?
December 7th
3. What kind of naval base was at Pearl Harbor?
A major U.S. Navy base and headquarters of the U.S. Pacific Fleet
4. What time did the Japanese attack begin?
7:48 a.m. local time
5. How many U.S. battleships were damaged or destroyed in the attack?
All 8 U.S. Navy battleships were damaged, and 4 were sunk
6. How many U.S. aircraft were destroyed?
188 U.S. aircraft were destroyed and 159 others damaged
7. How many casualties did the U.S. suffer?
2,403 Americans were killed and 1,178 others wounded
8. What ship suffered the most casualties that day?
The USS Arizona with 1,177 dead
9. Name the Admiral who commanded the U.S. Pacific Fleet in 1941.
Admiral Husband E. Kimmel
10. Which Admiral led the Japanese attack?
Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto
11. What was the code name the Japanese used for the attack plan?
Operation Z
12. How many Japanese aircraft took part in the first attack wave?
183 fighters, bombers, and torpedo planes
13. What were the two major objectives of the Japanese attack?
Destroy the U.S. Pacific Fleet and prevent American response to Japan’s planned conquests
14. How long did the attack last?
Just under 2 hours
15. What declaration did President Franklin D. Roosevelt make to Congress the day after the attack?
“A date which will live in infamy” speech asking for a declaration of war
16. How many Medals of Honor were awarded for actions at Pearl Harbor?
15 Medals of Honor
17. What ship was the first one hit by a Japanese torpedo bomber?
The USS West Virginia
18. The USS Arizona sank with most hands still on board. About how many remain entombed in the wreckage?
Over 900 sailors and marines
19. What memorial structure spans the sunken hull of the USS Arizona?
The USS Arizona Memorial
20. What ship was the last major vessel to sink that day?
The USS Utah capsized and sank
21. What did Japanese Admiral Yamamoto later say about the Pearl Harbor attack?
“I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve.”
22. How long after Pearl Harbor did Japan continue major military operations?
Just under 4 years until surrendering in August 1945
23. What technology did the U.S. use to turn the tide of the war in the Pacific?
Advanced radar helped U.S. ships locate Japanese forces at night
24. What decisive June 1942 naval battle marked a major U.S. victory against Japan?
The Battle of Midway
25. During WWII, how many Purple Heart medals were awarded for Pearl Harbor service?
1,506 Purple Heart medals
26. What was the cost to salvage and repair the USS Nevada after Pearl Harbor?
$3.5 million
27. The USS Arizona still leaks how much oil into Pearl Harbor each year?
2-9 quarts of oil per day
28. How deep is the hull of the USS Arizona sunk below the water line?
Around 40 feet deep
29. What recovery project in the 1950s helped identify remains of the USS Oklahoma crew?
Project 395 recovered remains for identification
30. On what date was the USS Utah righted nearly 65 years after it sank?
June 9, 1944
31. How many sets of brothers died together on the USS Arizona?
30 pairs of brothers
32. What recovered ship’s bell serves as a memorial for the USS Arizona crew?
The USS Arizona Bell
33. Who was the oldest survivor of the Pearl Harbor attack when he passed away in 2021?
USS West Virginia crew member Mickey Ganitch
34. What recoverable material was salvaged from the USS Oklahoma?
70,000 cubic yards of steel
35. On what date was the USS Utah decommissioned after efforts to return her to service?
September 1, 1944
36. How much oil did the Pearl Harbor attack force transfer between ships before departing?
Over 249,000 barrels
37. What recovering battleship fired some of the final bombardment rounds in WWII?
USS West Virginia
38. What ship was considered too damaged to repair and scrapped after the attack?
USS Cassin
39. How many crewmen were rescued from the USS Vestal after it was repaired?
4 officers and 108 enlisted men
40. Who was the senior surviving officer from the USS Arizona?
Lieutenant Commander Samuel Fuqua
41. What time on December 7th was the all clear signaled at Pearl Harbor?
11:45 a.m.
42. How many service members were on duty at Pearl Harbor on the day of the attack?
Around 50,000
43. How long did it take to raise the USS California?
3 months
44. After repairs, how many more years did the USS Nevada serve?
The Nevada served over 3 more years in WWII
45. Where were the Pearl Harbor attack commanders trained as pilots?
In the U.S. and Europe
46. How long was the USS Shaw ablaze before sinking at Pearl Harbor?
About 22 hours
47. What Pearl Harbor survivor went on to become a famous actor?
Charlton Heston
48. Which state lost the most service members at Pearl Harbor?
California
49. How many enemy torpedoes were recovered from Pearl Harbor for study?
5 Japanese torpedoes
50. What was painted over before repairs on the USS West Virginia?
The ship’s name and other markings
51. What future U.S. President was an officer aboard a submarine near Pearl Harbor?
John F. Kennedy
52. How many total Japanese aircraft took part in all 7 attack waves?
353 Japanese planes
53. What percentage of shore facilities at Pearl Harbor were damaged?
20% of buildings and infrastructure
54. What Pearl Harbor repair ship was damaged during the attack?
The USS Vestal
55. How many Purple Heart medals were finally issued to Pearl Harbor survivors in 2016?
100 medals
56. What survivors group worked for years to convince Washington to issue those medals?
The Pearl Harbor Survivors Association
57. On what date is Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day now observed?
December 7th
58. When did Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day become an annual event by law?
August 23, 1994
59. What Pearl Harbor hero was just awarded a Medal of Honor in December 2020?
Navy Seaman 1st Class Miller posthumously
60. How many total Medals of Honor have been awarded for Pearl Harbor service?
15 Medals of Honor in all
61. What ship that survived the attack remained in service until the 1960s?
The USS Maryland
62. How many U.S. carriers were destroyed at Pearl Harbor?
None, all 3 carriers were at sea
63. What state lost the most sons at Pearl Harbor?
Oklahoma
64. What recovering ship fired the opening shots at D-Day?
USS Nevada
65. How many total crewmen died on the USS Oklahoma?
429 sailors and marines perished
66. What ship served as the flagship for the Third Fleet in WWII?
USS West Virginia after repairs
67. What Pearl Harbor survivor lived to age 107 as the oldest in 2021?
USS Tennessee crew member Ray Chavez
68. How many Japanese mini subs took part in the Pearl Harbor attack?
5 Japanese midget subs
69. What memorial plaque was stolen from the USS Arizona before being recovered?
The ship’s bell plaque
70. What recovered ship helped defeat the Yamato in 1945?
USS Tennessee
71. How many total wires and connections were replaced on the USS Nevada?
About 2 miles of wiring
72. What ship served as a gunnery training vessel after repairs?
The USS California
73. What Pearl Harbor veteran lived to age 106 passing away this year?
Raymond Haerry from the USS Reid
74. What recovering ship suffered casualties at Okinawa in 1945?
The USS Tennessee
75. How many rivets were replaced during repair of the USS West Virginia?
Around 13 million rivets
76. What Pearl Harbor survivor passed away just this November at age 101?
USS Tennessee crew member Ed Sterchi
77. How many total U.S. battle force ships were at Pearl Harbor on December 7th?
96 ships present on Battleship Row
Conclusion
Observed annually, Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day ensures we never forget the sacrifice and loss suffered that infamous December day in 1941. Though it propelled America into a terrible war, the attack on Pearl Harbor inspired unity, courage, and resilience. Just like the ships that were salvaged, repaired, and returned to service, the American spirit recovered and prevailed. By learning the history and lessons of Pearl Harbor through engaging riddles, we gain insight and do justice to the heroes we honor each year on December 7th. From the facts and figures to the men and machines, these riddles shine a light on the key details, events, people, places, and aftermath of Pearl Harbor. How many did you know the answers to?
