Strategically, there would have been little difference in how America responded. Even though the defenses were prepared in this scenario, this would still be considered a sneak attack because the diplomatic messages were delivered too late. The country would have rallied and war would have been declared. Admiral Kimmel and General Short would probably still have been relieved of their commands. The navy would have responded as it actually did, using carrier task forces and unrestricted submarine warfare.

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Senior commanders have to make decisions based on the available information. They have to balance the dictates of the mission with the personnel and material available. They have to look at the enemies’ capabilities as well as the enemies’ intentions. They use their training, their experience, and their staffs when formulating a plan of action. They do not always have the benefit of hindsight or the failures of others to point them in the correct direction. They do their best with what they have, which is all any of us can ask of them or of ourselves.

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