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A Date Which Will Live in Infamy

Pearl Harbor and the Pacific War: 85 Years Later

As we remember the 85th anniversary of Pearl Harbor, come hear fascinating stories of the events leading up to the attack on December 7, 1941, and the aftermath, and how local Ohioans were involved.

Join military historian Bo Johnstone as he shares the background and history of the attack on Pearl Harbor for its 85th anniversary. Bo will discuss the reasons for the Japanese attack and why the United States and Japan came into conflict. He will explain how both sides viewed each other, the mistakes each made that led to war, and Japan’s eventual defeat. He will also cover how the US was drawn into a war it didn’t want, while trying to focus on the defeat of Nazi Germany. Additionally, he will talk about two brothers from Union County who died on the USS Arizona, and how another man from the county was captured and endured the Bataan Death March.

Bo has been studying military history for over 55 years. He served in the military as an Armored Cavalry and Staff officer, both in the US Army and Army Reserves and the State Defense Force of Ohio. He is a Lieutenant Colonel, retired. Bo also does living history and reenacting, primarily World War Two US Army. He enjoys sharing his knowledge of the development of United States armored and mechanized forces and how they compared to our enemies.

Bo and his wife Marleen live in Marysville with their two dogs, Moxie and Belle. They have three sons, David, James (wife Amber) and Matthew (fiancée Haley).

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