Four days after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Germany declared
war on the United States. Shortly thereafter, Hitler authorized a mission to
sabotage the American war effort. The undertaking was named Operation
Pastorius, after the man who organized the first German settlement in America.
Eight men were recruited; all had formerly lived and worked in the United
States. All eight were given three weeks of training in the manufacture and use
of explosives. In June 1942, four saboteurs were deposited by U-boat off the
coast of Long Island, and four more swam ashore in Florida. Before any sabotage
was actually committed, two of the agents turned themselves in to the FBI. They
provided information that led to the capture of the other six. In July, a
military tribunal was held. All eight were found guilty and sentenced to death.
President Roosevelt commuted the sentences of the two who had confessed. The
others were executed in August.
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