"Sixty-two years ago, the United States was bombed at Pearl Harbor by the Japanese," said Paul Grossnickle. 79. set ting the climate for his eventu al service as a World War II fighter pilot for the U.S. Navy. "That's what really started the Second World War in the Pacific. The Japanese didn't realize they had awakened a sleeping giant. In none of the preceding wars were we attacked, so everyone wanted to do their part for the war effort.
"Whoever was able-bodied and of the right age went into the military. Those who didn't, stayed here and did all their work with the war effort.