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A Matter of Honor

Pearl Harbor: Betrayal, Blame, and a Family's Quest for Justice

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A Matter of Honor

Written by: Anthony Summers, Robbyn Swan
Narrated by: Malcolm Hillgartner
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On the 75th anniversary, the authors of Pulitzer Prize finalist The Eleventh Day unravel the mysteries of Pearl Harbor to expose the scapegoating of the admiral who was in command the day 2,000 Americans died, report on the continuing struggle to restore his lost honor - and clear President Franklin D. Roosevelt of the charge that he knew the attack was coming.

The Japanese onslaught on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, devastated Americans and precipitated entry into World War II. In the aftermath, Admiral Husband Kimmel, commander in chief of the Pacific Fleet, was relieved of command, accused of negligence and dereliction of duty, and publicly disgraced.

But the admiral defended his actions through eight investigations and for the rest of his long life. The evidence against him was less than solid. High military and political officials had failed to provide Kimmel and his army counterpart with vital intelligence. Later, to hide the biggest US intelligence secret of the day, they covered it up.

Following the admiral's death, his sons - both navy veterans - fought on to clear his name. Now that they in turn are dead, Kimmel's grandsons continue the struggle. For them 2016 is a pivotal year.

With unprecedented access to documents, diaries, and letters and the family's cooperation, Summers and Swan's search for the truth has taken them far beyond the Kimmel story - to explore claims of duplicity and betrayal in high places in Washington.

A Matter of Honor is a provocative story of politics and war, of a man willing to sacrifice himself for his country only to be sacrificed himself. Revelatory and definitive, it is an invaluable contribution to our understanding of this pivotal event.

©2016 Anthony Summers and Robbyn Swan (P)2016 HarperCollins Publishers
United States Wars & Conflicts World War II Military Franklin D Roosevelt War Air Force
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Well Written but the Buck Had to Stop with Kimmel

If I had one wish for this intelligent Admiral, it would be that he merely smiled and nodded at C.N.O., Stark, then returned to Pearl and did his own defensive planning, ASSUMING the worst without being told differently. To rely on higher ups to decide your defensive plan for you as war looms is to run blind and risk your fleet.

We can all play armchair Admiral and to do so is highly unfair to the man, but right or wrong, Kimmel KNEW the buck would stop with him.

- Rotate out your fleet from Pearl so no complete battle force is in port at any one time.
- Send what PBY's you do have to at least recon the NE sector - direction of Japan.
- Once November 27th "war warning" telegram in, stop practise drills and coordinate with Short for defensive measures on the island.

In other words, IGNORE Washington DC and PROTECT YOUR FLEET with what is under your control.
My two cents, for what it's worth.

Admiral Kimmel remains a valiant man in my eyes, despite the horrendous result.
A Matter of Honor is a necessity read.

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