Has Anyone Met A WWII Pearl Harbor Survivor? What Are Your Stories?

2016-06-12T20:28:45-04:00

I had the pleasure to meet three WWII Pearl Harbor Survivors at the USS ARIZONA MEMORIAL - PEARL HARBOR, HI in 2009. I took this picture of them and had a authentic autograph. It was a moment in history I shall never forgot. What patriotism and honor it was to talk to them. I hope all are still living. Are there any stories? Please share!

http://www.pacifichistoricparks.org/phh_park_info.php

USS Arizona Memorial - Pearl Harbor, HI - Pacific Historic Parks

The USS Arizona Memorial is built over the sunken wreckage of the USS Arizona, the final resting place for many of the 1,177 crewmen killed on December 7, 1941.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Jun 12 at 2016 8:34 PM

2016-06-12T20:34:10-04:00

No I have not personally met a WWII Pearl Harbor survivor of the Dec 7, 1941 attack SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL. However I did get to hear a veteran of that attack describe what happened to his son who I worked with a decade ago at the company that terminated me back in 2013.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Jun 12 at 2016 8:39 PM

2016-06-12T20:39:15-04:00

I love it, Flashing the Traditional "Shaka Brah" Symbol. Pearl is Their Home with their Shipmates both above and below the water.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 12 at 2016 8:42 PM

2016-06-12T20:42:00-04:00

Once upon a time ago, we had two Pearl survivors here in Pocatello. I used to draw blood from one of them until he had finally passed away.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Jun 12 at 2016 9:02 PM

2016-06-12T21:02:46-04:00

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL No, but a former neighbor was a Bataan Death March Survivor! He told of sabotaging Japan's war effort; when he was a POW in Manchuria!

Response by CPT Robert Boshears made Jun 12 at 2016 9:13 PM

2016-06-12T21:13:43-04:00

They were men of great respect and had true love of their country. I had the pleasure of knowing two of these men. One lived through two ships being sunk during the war.

Response by SGT William Howell made Jun 13 at 2016 9:13 AM

2016-06-13T09:13:40-04:00

My Grandfather was a Pearl Harbor survivor.

When I found out as a young boy that he was at Pearl when it was attacked I had to ask, "Grandpa what did you do when the Japanese were attacking?" I had these views of grandeur, of my grand father out there with his '03 A3 shooting at the planes as they came by.

His response, "I was hiding in a banana field. Them Japs were shooting at anything moving."

He was still my hero. He lost 3/4 of his intestine while trying to help finish the airfield at Henderson on Guadalcanal. He was discharged and as soon as he healed up he became a tank mechanic for the Armor School at Ft. Knox for another 40 years.

Response by SPC Grey Johnson made Dec 6 at 2016 6:58 AM

2016-12-06T06:58:28-05:00

I met an italian named "Joe" in a nursing home in Taylorsville NC. His family told me that he was at Pearl harbor. He was standing on the pier when the Japanese flew in. He supposedly was standing at the end of the pier with a pitsol, shooting at the plans as they flew over. Fearlessly, he stood there until he ran out of ammo. Joe had Alzheimer but would often talk about being in WWII. Joe always wore a Yankees hat, but I wouldn't hold that against him. He was a swell guy.

Response by Sgt Michael Betts made Dec 6 at 2016 9:25 AM

2016-12-06T09:25:56-05:00

I participate in an annual Pearl Harbor Remembrance Ceremony aboard the USCG Cutter Taney at Baltimore's Inner Harbor each December 7th as a member of the Escort to the Colors of the St. Andrew's Society of Baltimore. The Taney is the last ship still afloat which was at Pearl Harbor on December 7th, 1941. The program always includes the reminiscences of those Pearl Harbor survivors in attendance. Their stories are harrowing.

Response by PO2 Rev. Frederick C. Mullis, AFI, CFM made Dec 6 at 2016 9:57 AM

2016-12-06T09:57:09-05:00

Years ago, I had the honor to meet Lt. John Finn, MOH at a gathering of Aviation Ordnancemen. He was a Chief Aviation Ordnanceman on Dec 7, 1941, and manned a .50 cal and continuously fired back against the attacking Zero's receiving 21 distinct wounds and only leaving the battle field when ordered to do so by a superior officer to get medical help. After getting patched up he returned to his squadron to help rearm the returning planes. He was awarded the Medal of Honor by Bull Halsey on the decks of the USS Enterprise. He died on May 27, 2010 at 100 years of age. He was a fascinating person to talk to. he loved his NAVY and he loved his COUNTRY. The USS John Finn DDG -113 is a fitting tribute to a Fighting Sailor!

Response by 1LT Darrel Polsley made Dec 6 at 2016 10:11 AM

2016-12-06T10:11:13-05:00

https://youtu.be/SiOnVYhR7-Q

Honor Guard Ceremony for SMSgt(ret) Gabriele "Gabe" Sciabarasi May 30, 2011 Pearl Harbor Survivor...

This is the Honor Guard for SMSgt (ret) Gabriele "Gabe" Sciabarasi. Gabe was stationed at Schofield Barracks the day that Pearl Harbor was attacked. When ask...

Response by LCpl Stephen Arnold made Dec 6 at 2016 11:40 AM

2016-12-06T11:40:02-05:00

I have, a couple of times. First, I met a group of Pearl survivors at the WW2 Memorial in DC; 10 of them, if memory serves, and the student group I ran treated them with such reverence, I was touched by that.

The second time, I was working at a gun shop here in California (yes, we still have them.) A gentlemen came in in a WW2 service cap; I thanked him, and asked where he had been in the war. He stated, humbly, "I was at Pearl Harbor in '41". He showed me his ID, and not only was he a Pearl Harbor survivor, but had also been a POW later in the war.

I shook his hand, signed him into the range, and refused to take his money upon departing. He was such a wonderful man, and a true joy to have met.

Response by Kim Simmons made Dec 6 at 2016 11:52 AM

2016-12-06T11:52:06-05:00

Well I couldn't pass up the chance to brag about my 89 year old father even though he was not at Pearl Harbor. He was in the US Navy in 1945 in the Submarine Fleet, USS Dogfish 350. He was a plankie. Served 4+ years in the fleet. Aren't too many WWII vets left among us. Great photo above. I thank them for their service and I know I'm free because of it.

Response by CMSgt Gary Fichman made Dec 6 at 2016 12:43 PM

2016-12-06T12:43:17-05:00

I was a medic for 30 years and took care of retired vets from ww1 to desert storm--including a few Pearl Harbor survivors. Heard lots of war stories.

Response by SCPO Larry Poffenbarger made Dec 6 at 2016 2:05 PM

2016-12-06T14:05:14-05:00

I spent several years with a Boy Scout troop in my hometown. One of the Scout leaders was a Pearl Harbor veteran. He was on board the Nevada on December 7. His GQ station was in the gun control tub on the tripod mast. He told of looking down on Japanese aircraft making their torpedo runs. He stayed aboard Nevada for the entire war, including going to the Atlantic for the D-Day landings and then returning to the Pacific for the rest of the war. We had a lot of conversations over the years concerning his life during WW II. I had the honor of conducting his Masonic funeral service which I did in my dress blues. Max was truly one of the greatest generation.

Response by Lt Col Robert Ginnett made Dec 6 at 2016 2:44 PM

2016-12-06T14:44:27-05:00

HI Joe,
One year ago tomorrow, I had the honor and pleasure of meeting Mr. Donald Stratton and his wife Velma. Donald is one of only four living survivors of the USS Arizona. He just published his memoir entitled "All the Gallant Men". Attached hopefully is a picture of Donald, Velma, and me. Ignore me.

Response by 1stSgt Nelson Kerr made Dec 6 at 2016 3:45 PM

2016-12-06T15:45:01-05:00

My Marine Unnce was Transferred off the Arizona the 5th of December, he watched it sink with most of his buddies aboard, but he told few stories

Response by SP5 Bob Rudolph made Dec 6 at 2016 4:26 PM

2016-12-06T16:26:53-05:00

In the early70'a, after I had served my time, I worked with a fellow named Jack Stevenson who had been a regular seaman on one of the ships and on board at the time of the attack. Being as my Uncle was killed on the Arizona I asked Jack a lot of questions. He wasn't eager to answer them. As I recall, he told me it was just a bunch of men doing their duty in an unusual time. Their duty was of course, watching out and taking care of each other. When our fighting men do their duty in this way we are all safer.

Response by Sgt Christopher Robin made Dec 6 at 2016 4:46 PM

2016-12-06T16:46:10-05:00

Had the honor one Sunday morning at 0910 at the memorial while stationed with 3/3 Comm at Kaneohe in 1978! He was silent with tears...and as I approached...all were silent with tears that morning...I am now 60 and only knew his first name Herald!
Cpl R. B. Holder USMC!

Response by SPC Byron Skinner made Dec 6 at 2016 10:15 PM

2016-12-06T22:15:13-05:00

Sp4 Byron Skinner…Growing up in San Diego in the 1940's and 1950's there were a lot of survivors of Pearl Harbor: They were teachers, merchants, ministers, Little League Coaches, Scout Masters and every other occupation. For the most part they were quiet on the topic including John Flynn who lived not far away…We also had men who served in Patton's Armies from Morocco to VE Day, We had veterans of the B-17/B24 war of the 8th. Air Force. My fayjerin law who was a crew chief on a B-17 was shot down three time escaped POW camps twice and was working on the third escape when the war ended. For those of you into Air ForceHistory He was the Crew Chief on "Thunderbird" on the raid that is in the painting above the air and space museum in DC. His name was Staff Sgt. Lloyd Roy Bodin of the 259th. Bomb Squadron of the 303 Bomb Group Hells Angels. He hated authority but loved women, firearms and harley's Electro Glide. Yes he was a charter member of the Hells Angels. At the time he was a member you had to have served in the 303 Bomb Group. His daughter is sitting on the couch in back of me right now.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 6 at 2016 10:49 PM

2016-12-06T22:49:26-05:00

My brigade commander was invited to a 70th Anniversary D-Day Commemorative in 2014. He couldn't attend, but personally requested I go to represent the unit because he knew of my intense knowledge of the war. "Let me get this straight, sir. You want to pay me to hang out with WWII vets for the day? Well, for the good of the unit..." Among the vets I met was Ed Borucki, from the USS Helena, and I got a picture with him in my ASUs. He has since passed.

Response by LCpl Arthur Granville made Dec 6 at 2016 11:53 PM

2016-12-06T23:53:04-05:00

I have a friend who has been interviewing PH survivors for many years. He is personal friends with all the PH survivors in Orange County, CA and San Diego. He is 35 years old.

Response by PO1 Gregory Allen made Dec 7 at 2016 12:23 AM

2016-12-07T00:23:13-05:00

My grandfather was stationed at Ford Island.

https://www.facebook.com/Nghthawk/posts/ [login to see] 845719

Gregory Allen - It is the 75th anniversary of Pearl... | Facebook

It is the 75th anniversary of Pearl Harbor, Sunday, December 7, 1941, "a date which will live in infamy."My grandparents were there. My grandfather was...

Response by PO3 Thomas Lawrence made Dec 7 at 2016 2:21 AM

2016-12-07T02:21:16-05:00

Met a Pearl Harbor survivor? I lived with one until almost my 13th birthday. Look on the list of U.S.S Arizona survivors and find Lawrence, Thomas H. S1c. That was my father. He made the Navy a career and died on active duty at age 46. I wish he had been around longer but I do remember him talking about swimming through burning oil to Ford Island. If I can figure out how to post pics to this site I have some from his service jacket that was salvaged from the ship. You can see the Name and ship on the upper right hand side of the lighter picture. I have this service jacket in my possesion.

Response by PO3 Thomas Lawrence made Dec 7 at 2016 2:26 AM

2016-12-07T02:26:01-05:00

I went to the 50th anniversary in 1991 and met a few Arizona survivors One was named Cruz (I believe) he was the last man taken off the Arizona. He said he was taken off by boat because he could not swim.

Response by Sgt Burrett Clay made Dec 7 at 2016 3:03 PM

2016-12-07T15:03:28-05:00

My father was a 1st Lt with Battery B 98th Coast Artillery (AA) at Schofield Barracks. His unit shot down one of the few Japanese bombers brought down. We had some small pieces of the aircraft. My mother and older sister were there as well and were evacuated to the Wahawai area in the hills above Schofield.

Response by SPC Tom Benaway made Dec 7 at 2016 3:19 PM

2016-12-07T15:19:27-05:00

Yes my son took me to Pearl Harbor for my 60th birthday two years ago. My uncle Louie is buried at the Punch Bowl and we were looking at his grave site when a man and his son were walking by to their car. The older man was using a walker so I ask his son if I could help getting him in the car. His son told us that his dad was on the Maryland during the attack and that this was his tenth and last visit to Pearl. His Dad was in his 90's and he didn't think he could take another flight. We shook hands and wished them well thanking him for his sacrifice.

Response by LtCol Jim Irwin made Dec 7 at 2016 6:06 PM

2016-12-07T18:06:44-05:00

My uncle, Richard Giglio, was aboard the USS CASE during the attack on Pearl Harbor. He was also in Tokyo Harbor when the surrender was signed.