How Many Pearl Harbor Deaths Were There?

The attack on Pearl Harbor, which occurred on December 7, 1941, is one of the most devastating events in American history. This surprise military strike by the Japanese Navy against the U.S. Naval Base in Hawaii not only shocked the nation but also propelled the United States into World War II. Amid the destruction and chaos, the human toll was immense, with the Pearl Harbor attack casualties standing as a somber reminder of the cost of war.

So, how many Pearl Harbor deaths were there? In total, 2,403 Americans lost their lives that fateful day. These casualties included military personnel, civilians, and a variety of other individuals who were stationed at or near the naval base.

The majority of those who perished were members of the U.S. Navy, with 1,177 of them coming from just one ship—the USS Arizona. This battleship suffered a direct hit from Japanese bombers, causing a massive explosion and sinking it within minutes. The destruction of the USS Arizona remains one of the most poignant symbols of the attack, and the ship’s memorial today serves as a tribute to the lives lost aboard. Another significant loss occurred on the USS Oklahoma, where 429 crew members died after the ship was torpedoed and capsized. Alongside the casualties on the Arizona and Oklahoma, other naval ships, including the USS California, USS West Virginia, and USS Nevada, also suffered heavy damage and loss of life.

While the Navy bore the brunt of the Pearl Harbor attack casualties, other branches of the military were also impacted. The U.S. Army lost 218 soldiers, while the Marine Corps reported 109 deaths. Additionally, 68 civilians were killed during the attack, many of them due to collateral damage from bombs and gunfire. These civilian casualties remind us that the destruction extended beyond the military personnel stationed at Pearl Harbor. Remembering the Wounded and Honoring the Dead The human toll of the attack did not stop with the dead. In addition to the 2,403 who perished, 1,178 others were wounded, many of whom carried the scars—both physical and emotional—of the attack for the rest of their lives. The Pearl Harbor attack casualties mark a dark chapter in American history, but they also serve as a powerful reminder of the cost of war and the resilience of those who survived. The lives lost on December 7, 1941, continue to be honored and remembered for their sacrifice, both at Pearl Harbor and across the nation.