Truth Beyond Headlines, Justice Beyond Time

History CORRECTED,
HONOR Rightfully RESTORED

Truth and Justice for Pearl Harbor Survivors

The window of time is closing for those who bore witness to one of the most pivotal events in American history. As the number of living Pearl Harbor survivors dwindles, so too does the opportunity to correct a decades-long injustice, one that has deeply affected both military legacy and national memory. This website is dedicated to sharing the untold truth behind the U.S. commanders at Pearl Harbor and the fight to restore their honor.

Real Heroes. Real History. Real Justice.

The Story Within:
The Pearl Harbor Story

We created this website as a launching point to learn The Story Within: The Pearl Harbor Story. Behind the headlines of the December 7, 1941, attack lies a decades-long struggle to correct the punitive treatment of two commanders: Rear Admiral Husband E. Kimmel of the U.S. Navy and Major General Walter C. Short of the U.S. Army. Both men were in command during the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor, and both were denied the honors extended to their peers under the Officer Personnel Act of 1947.

Supported since 1984 by the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association (PHSA) and the families of Kimmel and Short, this mission seeks one outcome: posthumous advancement of these commanders on the retired list, as Congress has already recommended. This is the unfinished work that many Pearl Harbor survivors have carried with them for decades.

Silhouetted soldiers with weapons stand and crouch on a ridge against a dramatic sunrise
Man in casual clothing embraces a person in military uniform outdoors, with an American flag blurred in the background, conveying warmth and reunion.

A Cause That Unites Veterans, Families, and Lawmakers

At PHSA’s urging, Congress passed a law in 2000 recommending that the President posthumously advance Kimmel and Short. The chief sponsor of that law was then-Senator Joe Biden. Still, no President has acted on it.

In 2017, Captain Thomas Kimmel, grandson of Admiral Kimmel, filed an official application with the Board for Correction of Naval Records (BCNR). The board agreed to review the matter in April 2018 but ultimately rejected it in February 2019. The fight for justice, however, did not end there. We’ve published a full analysis of the BCNR’s decision, along with all supporting documentation and historical context, so that the public and historians alike can judge themselves.

A Growing Archive of Evidence and Advocacy

We’ve collected and shared a powerful archive of correspondence, government records, personal testimonies, and expert analysis, all in support of Kimmel and Short’s advancement and in memory of the Pearl Harbor survivors who believed in this cause.

Featured Historical Materials

  • 12/7/16 – The Director of Naval History, Admiral Samuel Cox, sent this piece to every Admiral in the United States Navy
  • 4/7/17 – My Application to the Board for Correction of Naval Records (BCNR) in the Rear Admiral Kimmel Matter
  • 7/13/18 – Special for BCNR, “A Presentation Concerning General Marshall’s 11/15/41 Secret Conference with Reporters”
  • 8/9/18 – Special for BCNR, “A Further Presentation Concerning General Marshall’s ‘Profound Catalogue of Error’
  • 3/15/19 – “Not Finding Injustice in the Admiral Kimmel Matter,” by Tom Kimmel & Judith Williams, 3/15/19, pdf
  • 3/15/19 – “Not Finding Injustice in the Admiral Kimmel Matter,” by Tom Kimmel & Judith Williams, 3/15/19, docx
  • 3/24/19 – My Analysis of BCNR’s Report
  • 6/17/19 – The Board for Correction of Naval Records’ (BCNR) “Chronology of Relevant Events” in the Admiral Kimmel petition matter, annotated by the Petitioner in red
  • 12/7/16 – The Director of Naval History, Admiral Samuel Cox, sent this piece to every Admiral in the United States Navy
  • 4/7/17 – My Application to the Board for Correction of Naval Records (BCNR) in the Rear Admiral Kimmel Matter
  • 7/13/18 – Special for BCNR, “A Presentation Concerning General Marshall’s 11/15/41 Secret Conference with Reporters”
  • 8/9/18 – Special for BCNR, “A Further Presentation Concerning General Marshall’s ‘Profound Catalogue of Error’
  • 3/15/19 – “Not Finding Injustice in the Admiral Kimmel Matter,” by Tom Kimmel & Judith Williams, 3/15/19, pdf
  • 3/15/19 – “Not Finding Injustice in the Admiral Kimmel Matter,” by Tom Kimmel & Judith Williams, 3/15/19, docx
  • 3/24/19 – My Analysis of BCNR’s Report
  • 6/17/19 – The Board for Correction of Naval Records’ (BCNR) “Chronology of Relevant Events” in the Admiral Kimmel petition matter, annotated by the Petitioner in red

The following 24 attached documents, a through x, were submitted in support of the BCNR application:

Chronological Record

Why This Story Still Matters Today

As time passes, fewer voices remain from that infamous day in 1941. Pearl Harbor survivors have not just told their stories; they have fought to clear the names of two men blamed for decisions far beyond their control. Their sacrifice and advocacy should not be forgotten.

The correction of this injustice is more than symbolic. It represents honor restored, history corrected, and a promise kept to the veterans who gave their all and asked for only the truth in return.

Front view of a military ship with multiple missile launchers, antennas, and a radar system, set against a cloudy sky, conveying a sense of power.

United for History, Truth, and Honor

The Director of Naval History, Admiral Samuel Cox, understood the weight of this issue. On December 7, 2016, he shared a powerful message with every Admiral in the Navy, a clear signal that the conversation about Pearl Harbor survivors, Kimmel, and Short remains active in the military.

Our work ensures that the conversation continues until the right action is taken.

Help Fulfill the Final Wish of Pearl Harbor Survivors

The mission to honor Admiral Kimmel and General Short is not just a family cause but a national one. It is a cause supported by Pearl Harbor survivors, military leaders, lawmakers, and everyday citizens who believe in fairness and accountability.

Read the reports, explore the documents, and share the truth. Help us urge the President of the United States to advance Kimmel and Short on the retired list, a step that should have been taken long ago. Contact us today for more details.

Learn more about the story of Pearl Harbor and its survivors.

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