Q: "Yesterday, December 7, 1941, a date which will live in infamy, the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan." (President Franklin Roosevelt address to Congress on December 8, 1941.) So what does this have to do with Monrovia?
The surprise attack on Pearl Harbor was devastating to the United States Pacific Fleet. More than 2,400 Americans were killed and around 1,200 wounded. 19 naval ships were sunk or damaged. 300 warplanes were destroyed or damaged.
The United States was desperate to strike back. Just 4 months after Pearl Harbor, on April 18, 1942, the United States sent 16 B-25 Mitchell bombers to attack Japan. The bombers launched from the aircraft carrier Hornet, which was unprecedented because the bombers were designed to be land-based.
The surprise attack on Pearl Harbor was devastating to the United States Pacific Fleet. More than 2,400 Americans were killed and around 1,200 wounded. 19 naval ships were sunk or damaged. 300 warplanes were destroyed or damaged.
The United States was desperate to strike back. Just 4 months after Pearl Harbor, on April 18, 1942, the United States sent 16 B-25 Mitchell bombers to attack Japan. The bombers launched from the aircraft carrier Hornet, which was unprecedented because the bombers were designed to be land-based.
Source: Monrovia Legacy Project - click photo to link to their site Water Heaters! Specifically, the Day and Night Water Heater Company, which was headquartered in Monrovia. The B-25 Mitchell bombers did not have the range to fly from the Hornet to Japan and then land in China. Auxiliary fuel tanks were needed and according to some historical accounts, Day and Night was chosen to build those tanks. Without the auxiliary fuel tanks the planes would never have reached Japan.
The Doolittle Raid caused little damage to Japan but was considered a success. It showed the Empire of Japan it was not invulnerable to attack. It also provided a major psychological and morale boost to Americans who were reeling after a string of Japanese military successes in the Pacific.
What happened to Day and Night? The company was founded around 1910 and was known for its solar water heaters. Carrier purchased the company in the 1950s and although it was defunct for a time, the brand is still active as a seller of heating and air conditioning systems.
The Doolittle Raid caused little damage to Japan but was considered a success. It showed the Empire of Japan it was not invulnerable to attack. It also provided a major psychological and morale boost to Americans who were reeling after a string of Japanese military successes in the Pacific.
What happened to Day and Night? The company was founded around 1910 and was known for its solar water heaters. Carrier purchased the company in the 1950s and although it was defunct for a time, the brand is still active as a seller of heating and air conditioning systems.
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