Pearl Harbor: The Seeds and Fruits of Infamy - Ludwig von Mises ...

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21.
1944: A Year of
Investigations
The public was no closer in 1944 to unraveling the mystery
surrounding the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor than it had
been in January 1942. Even though “a speedy and public
trial,” at which Kimmel would have an opportunity to present
his side of the story, was “impossible” because of the need for
wartime security, Kimmel began to prepare. 1 Any such hearing
or trial would have to depend on the testimony of witnesses with
knowledge of the pre-December 7 situation, many of whom,
stationed in combat positions from the northern Atlantic to the
southwest Pacifi c, could become war casualties. On Kimmel’s recommendation,
therefore, or as a result of his prodding, Secretary
Knox issued a “Precept,” or order, instructing retired Admiral
Th omas C. Hart, commander-in-chief of the U.S. Asiatic Fleet in
the Philippines before the attack, to conduct an inquiry “for the
purpose of recording and preserving testimony pertinent to the
1Knox memorandum to Kimmel, March 4, 1944. Typed copy of original in
author’s fi les.