Pearl Harbor Memorial Expressway

The Pearl Harbor Memorial Expressway consists of the portion of US Highway 169 from Memorial Drive to the Tulsa County line. The Oklahoma House of Representatives unanimously approved a resolution designating the Pearl Harbor Memorial Expressway on March 8, 2001. House Concurrent Resolution 1007 includes the following statement of the intent of the House of Representatives to recognize the significance and impact of the Pearl Harbor Attack. Whereas, the surprise attack of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on the morning of December 7, 1941, forever changed the history of the world; and Whereas, the attack on Pearl Harbor resulted in the death of 2,403 servicemen and civilians, the wounding of 1,178 servicemen and civilians, damaged or destroyed eight battleships, destroyed 188 airplanes, and forever affected the lives of every American family; and Whereas the U.S.S. Oklahoma was one of the ships to perish on that infamous day; and Whereas, the attack on Pearl Harbor will forever be indelible on the minds and hearts of all Americans. Four Tulsans who were survivors of the Pearl Harbor attack were present in the House chamber when the resolution was adopted, representing all servicemembers and civilians who were present at Pearl Harbor during the attack. They were Navy survivors R.J. Norman, Arles Cole and Jay Jernigan; and Army survivor Robert Wheeler. These men were all members of the Last Man Club, a group of Pearl Harbor Survivors in Tulsa. It was through their efforts that Highway 169 was designated a memorial to the Pearl Harbor attack. They were dedicated to the idea that the attack should never be forgotten, and that current and future generations of Americans must remember the surprise attack, and always remain vigilant to recognize threats and ready to defend this nation against attack. Since Highway 169 is one of the busiest in Tulsa, the memorial signs on the highway are a fitting way to remind the thousands of motorists who drive past these signs each day of the Pearl Harbor attack.