Pearl Harbor, Hawaii (AP) — At the impressive ages of 104 and 102, two survivors of the Pearl Harbor attack returned to Hawaii to remember the lives lost on that fateful day, which catapulted the United States into World War II 83 years ago.
Ira “Ike” Schab, the older of the two veterans, faced a challenging six weeks of intense physical therapy, determined to stand and salute during the poignant remembrance ceremony.
Commemoration Ceremony
On Saturday, Schab rose with great care from his wheelchair, executing a salute as a ship’s crew from a destroyer and a submarine glided past in the harbor.
His daughter, Kimberlee Heinrichs, who traveled with him from their home in Beaverton, Oregon, remarked on her father’s resolute spirit, as standing for this moment was a personal goal he was set on achieving.
Among the few remaining survivors from that tragic day, Schab was one of merely two servicemen able to participate in the annual memorial event organized by the U.S. Navy and the National Park Service.
This year’s ceremony took place on a verdant area overlooking the harbor.
Although another survivor had intended to join, he regrettably had to withdraw due to health issues.
Historical Context
The attack on December 7, 1941, was catastrophic, claiming the lives of over 2,300 American servicemen, with nearly half of those casualties—1,177 sailors and Marines—aboard the USS Arizona, which sank during the assault.
Today, the remains of more than 900 crew members still rest within the sunken ship.
As the years have gone by, the number of attendees has dramatically decreased as survivors continue to age.
Currently, only 16 survivors are documented, according to Kathleen Farley, who chairs the California state chapter of the Sons and Daughters of Pearl Harbor Survivors.
Military historian J. Michael Wenger notes that around 87,000 military personnel were stationed on Oahu when the attack occurred.
Personal Reflections
Earlier this year, when asked to represent all Pearl Harbor survivors and World War II veterans with a salute, Schab expressed his heartfelt appreciation for the opportunity and was thrilled to stand, recognizing the significance of his age.
Back in 1941, Schab was serving on the USS Dobbin as a tuba player in the ship’s band.
Just after a shower and dressed in a fresh uniform, he rushed to heed a call for help, ascending to the deck where he saw Japanese planes soaring overhead and witnessed the USS Utah being struck and capsizing.
Without hesitation, he descended below deck to help fellow sailors prepare ammunition for an anti-aircraft gun amid the chaos of the attack.
Alongside Schab at the ceremony was 102-year-old Ken Stevens, a former sailor on the USS Whitney.
Regrettably, Bob Fernandez, a sailor from the USS Curtiss, couldn’t be present due to health complications.
At the exact time the attack commenced, 7:54 a.m., attendees held a moment of silence, honoring the lives lost that day.
Shortly after, F-22 fighter jets soared overhead in a missing man formation as a tribute to those who had fallen.
In a recent phone conversation from his home in Lodi, California, Fernandez shared his intense feelings of shock and confusion as the attack unfolded.
He painted a vivid picture of the moment when he and other sailors struggled to realize their reality—that they were now at war.
On that harrowing morning, Fernandez was tasked with delivering coffee and meals to his fellow sailors during breakfast when an alarm sounded, signaling the onset of the offensive.
He caught a glimpse of a Japanese fighter plane through a porthole, heightening the urgency of the moment.
Quickly, he navigated down multiple decks to reach the magazine room, anticipating the order to retrieve ammunition for the ship’s defense.
As gunfire echoed above, he recalled how some sailors appeared visibly shaken, praying in fear.
He himself battled waves of anxiety as chaos unfolded around him.
The USS Curtiss successfully fired upon an enemy aircraft that crashed into the ship’s cranes, but shortly after, another attack saw a dive bomber colliding with the vessel, igniting fires below deck.
Tragically, the attack resulted in the loss of 21 crew members, with around 60 others injured, as documented by the Navy History and Heritage Command.
While many honor Pearl Harbor survivors as heroes, Fernandez opts for humility, seeing himself simply as a sailor who passed ammunition rather than a figure of valor.
Source: Stripes