Admiral Chester Nimitz: "Our Good Luck at Pearl Harbor"

"Before we’re through with them, the Japanese language will be spoken only in hell."

– Admiral William F. “Bull” Halsey upon seeing the aftermath of the attack on Pearl Harbor.

In 1958, US Admiral Chester W. Nimitz wrote a controversial article titled “Our Good Luck at Pearl Harbor.” It was a surprising revelation that prompted Nimitz to explain and defend himself for the rest of his life. To his credit, he remained firm in his conviction and was always willing to explain his reasons.

In this episode, we ask whether or not Nimitz’s controversial statement made over 60 years ago is sustainable, given just how destructive the Japanese surprise attack was on December 7, 1941.