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Today, December 7, is the 75th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, which drew the United States into World War II.

Do you remember where you were on that day in December 1941?

Most Americans are too young to answer that question, but the ones who are older can probably remember, distinctly, where they were and what they were doing.

That includes several residents from New Ulm, Minnesota.

"I was home on my fist furlough on the day the war started, and of course they called us all back immediately by radio," said Lloyd Marti, who was already enlisted. "I tell you, I got kind of a sinking feeling, and that lasted four years until I was out."

In 1985 former MPR host and documentarian Mark Heistad produced a documentary of Marti and other New Ulm residents' memories of that tragic day and the conflicts that followed in: "We Were the Lucky Ones."

The New Ulm inhabitants shared stories of the draft, ship to ship warfare, the discovery of Nazi death camps, life at home and the formation of a Nazi P.O.W. work camp near New Ulm. 

Thanks to the Brown County Historical Society and the Minnesota Historical Society. 

To listen to the entire documentary, click the audio player above.

Minnesota Pearl Harbor survivor recalls attack

Few Pearl Harbor veterans remain to mark anniversary

Last few Minn. Pearl Harbor vets gather to share stories

FDR didn't know the Japanese were going to bomb Pearl Harbor

MPR News presents offers speeches, documentaries and debates — airing weekdays from noon to 1 p.m

Correction (Dec. 7, 2016): Lloyd Marti's name was misspelled in an earlier version of this story.

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Some residents of New Ulm, Minn., served in the Pacific and in Europe during World War II. Coming from a town with deep roots in Germany, New Ulm residents share their struggles and experiences from the draft to the end of the war.

Residents of New Ulm, Minnesota served in the Pacific and in Europe, and lived in a town with deep roots in Germany.

New Ulm, Minn. experiences World War II

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