WATCH: Incredible footage of US obliterating Japan’s Navy after Pearl Harbor

On December 7th, 1941 — 79 years ago today — the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service launched a devastating surprise attack on Naval Station Pearl Harbor near Honolulu, Hawaii. The attack killed 2,403 Americans and injured 1,178 others. Four U.S. Navy battleships were sunk, while four others were heavily damaged, along with three cruisers, three destroyers, and one minelayer. In addition to the vessels, 188 aircraft were destroyed and another 159 damaged.

As a result of the attack, the United States declared war on Japan.

Just six months later, the U.S. got some revenge during the Battle of Midway.

On the morning of June 4, 1942, the Japanese attacked the Pacific fleet, which they believed was teetering on the brink of collapse. They planned to destroy the American strategic outpost on Midway Island, which would allow then enable a direct attack on Hawaii where the Japanese believed they could force a surrender.

Wrong.

They had no idea what they were about to unleash.

U.S. Marines fought back with such ferocity, it changed the course of the war.

To begin with, U.S. cryptographers had cracked the Japanese code, and knew the attack was coming.

This incredible video released by the U.S. Navy shows the awesome beatdown the U.S. delivered.

As Japan launched the attack, Marines on the ground hit back, and the U.S. prepared to launch its aircraft.

After the first wave of attacks, the Japanese returned to their carriers, planning for a second wave.

It was a risky and ultimately fatal decision. The planes would need to refuel out in the open on the decks of the carriers, leaving them vulnerable to American forces.

They had no idea the American fleet was nearby, in striking distance. First American torpedo bombers appeared. Flying low and slow, they delivered their payloads, but were easy targets for Japanese fighters.

However, what the Japanese didn’t see — or anticipate — was U.S. Navy fighters flying high above the fleet. While many Japanese aircraft were still being refueled and rearmed, they were easily destroyed by the U.S.

Within just five minutes, the Japanese strike force on three carriers was destroyed. Japan launched a counter-attack from its remaining carrier on the USS Yorktown. She was damaged, but continued to fight on.

The U.S. launched a final counter-attack, and for the next two days, relentlessly pounded the Japanese, forcing their retreat.

At the end of the Battle of Midway, the U.S. lost 307 warriors and 150 aircraft when a Japanese submarine launched a torpedo attack on the Yorktown.

But the Japanese lost 4,800 soldiers, four carriers, one heavy cruiser and 275 aircraft.

Japan would never again have naval superiority during World War II.