Going to Pearl Harbor has been a dream of mine for years. Both as a Political Science student studying Security, Peace, and Conflict and as an American with great respect and reverence for the brave young men who fought there, the historic place is something I have wanted to visit for quite a while.
The fact that Pearl Harbor happens to be on a beautiful tropical island is just a bonus.
The moment I learned about the American Grand Strategy trip I knew it would be the most perfect way to spend my spring break. Naturally, as the semester wore on I found myself very much in need of a genuine break. Seeing our packed itinerary, I questioned how I would reconcile my desire to relax with friends with my passion to absorb as much of the history as possible.
I was happy to find that the trip, although certainly busy, blended education and excitement to the point that, at least for a WWII history afficionado such as myself, it was hard to draw the line between the two.
A perfect example was training with the 25th Infantry Division, during which we learned about modern military readiness and received a fascinating briefing about the partnerships between our military and other allied nations’ while also running (or, attempting to run) an obstacle course. It was a ton of fun and an unforgettable experience.
Other activities, such as touring the KC-135 and C-17, or our somber visit to the USS Arizona memorial, were things I felt privileged to do anyways, and didn’t seem like schoolwork at all. There was also time for pure fun, which saw me rent a convertible to drive around the island and try my hand at surfing off Waikiki Beach. Being able to experience the beautiful island while learning the history made for a comprehensive trip that will forever be one of the shining moments of my Duke experience.
In preparation for the staff ride, I researched and worked to embody Cordell Hull, the Secretary of State leading up to and during World War II. Despite being the longest-serving Secretary of State, I had only heard of Hull in passing.
My presentation focused mainly on the two years leading up to the attack on Pearl Harbor during which Hull met with Japanese ambassadors and negotiated for peace in the Pacific. The proposed treaties never really reached a viable point, and the negotiations are seen largely as a failure, especially, in some historians’ eyes, the “Hull Note:” an incendiary message sent by Hull to the Japanese just weeks before the attack.
The proposal was outrageous to the point of being insulting and was the last straw for the Japanese. Hull also had some perceived blunders on December 7th, when he threw the ambassadors out of his office in a rage after learning about the attack, of which they had no knowledge. It was fun and interesting to get into Hull’s head and learn why he took these seemingly rash actions. By reading his memoirs alongside the more critical historical perspectives, I was able to see why he took what actions he did and understand the context of his decisions.
In addition, I took on a second role during the trip in my impromptu portrayal of a personal hero of mine: Jimmy Doolittle. After learning about my particular interest in WWII aviation, I was asked to join the presentation on the events following Pearl Harbor including the Doolittle Raid, which happened four months later. In preparing that role, I was able to learn things I hadn’t previously known about someone who I have long idolized. It allowed me to share my knowledge with the group and have fun seeing how the raid fit in between Pearl Harbor and the Battle of Midway. I unpacked Doolittle’s decision to launch the raid early and was able to more comprehensively consider the actions taken on both a tactical and strategic level.
One of my large overarching takeaways from the trip was the physical importance of the Hawaiian Islands to the United States. Walking the terrain, we were able to see how Oahu lends itself to defense, and why it makes sense that there are four branches represented on the island. Even just the long flight impressed upon me the significance of having territory so far west. Visiting INDOPACOM exemplified the power of the Pacific and the American interests in the region, many of which I had not previously grasped the full scope of. It was also very powerful and moving to see the remains of the ill-fated Arizona in the same harbor as an active battleship. We saw the similarities and differences in capabilities, and more importantly saw the commitment and dedication of those in service to our country. Along with being a blast of a time, visiting the 25th ID also showed us some of the many pathways in the military. For individuals like myself who are considering service later in life, this let us see how much the military does, how important it is, and where it may be heading in the future.