9. Fact: Many Civilians Were Caught in the Crossfire
The attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, resulted in civilian casualties and significant damage to infrastructure. The Honolulu Fire Department responded to fires caused by the assault, including those at Hickam Air Force Base, where enemy bombing led to the destruction of the base’s fire station. Fire Captains Thomas Macy and John Carreira, along with Hoseman Harry Tuck Lee Pang, made the ultimate sacrifice on that fateful day. Six other firefighters were injured in the bombings. In all, these nine firefighters were awarded the Order of the Purple Heart and became the only civilian firefighters in the U.S. to have ever received this honor (fire.honolulu.gov).
