Pearl Harbor Survivor, 104, Stands to Salute in Moving Ceremony

Pearl Harbor Survivor, 104, Stands to Salute in Moving Ceremony \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ At 104 years old, Ira “Ike” Schab stood to salute during a Pearl Harbor remembrance ceremony, honoring those who died in the attack 83 years ago. The ceremony featured poignant moments of tribute, including a flyover and stories from the few remaining survivors. Over 2,300 U.S. servicemen were killed on Dec. 7, 1941, marking the United States’ entry into World War II.

Pearl Harbor Remembrance: Quick Looks

• Ira Schab’s Tribute: At 104, Schab worked through weeks of therapy to stand and salute.
• Dwindling Numbers: Only two survivors attended this year’s ceremony; 16 remain alive.
• Historical Tragedy: Over 2,300 U.S. servicemen died, with 1,177 entombed in the USS Arizona.
• Ceremony Highlights: A moment of silence and flyover marked the solemn occasion.
• Stories of Resilience: Survivors shared vivid memories of bravery and chaos from the attack.

Deep Look

Eighty-three years after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor drew the United States into World War II, the remaining survivors gathered to honor the fallen. Among them was 104-year-old Ira “Ike” Schab, who overcame physical challenges to stand and salute during the remembrance ceremony held at Pearl Harbor on Saturday.

The event, steeped in history and emotion, served as a poignant reminder of the courage and sacrifice of those who lived through the attack and those who lost their lives that fateful day.

A Standing Tribute by Ira Schab

Ira Schab, one of only two Pearl Harbor survivors present at the ceremony, stood from his wheelchair to salute sailors aboard a passing destroyer and submarine. His daughter, Kimberlee Heinrichs, who accompanied him from their Beaverton, Oregon, home, said the moment was deeply meaningful.

“He’s been working hard because this is his goal,” she said. “He wanted to be able to stand for that.”

Schab’s determination was evident. For six weeks, he underwent physical therapy to build the strength to stand, fulfilling his wish to honor his fallen comrades properly.

“I was honored to do it,” Schab said. “I’m glad I was capable of standing up. I’m getting old, you know.”

A Vivid Memory of December 7, 1941

Schab served as a sailor on the USS Dobbin during the attack, playing the tuba in the ship’s band. That morning, he had just showered and put on a clean uniform when the call for a fire rescue party came.

He rushed topside to find Japanese planes roaring overhead and the USS Utah capsizing. Schab quickly joined other sailors below deck, forming a daisy chain to pass ammunition to anti-aircraft guns on the ship’s deck.

“We didn’t even know we were in a war,” Schab later reflected.

Stories from Fellow Survivors

Ken Stevens, 102, who served aboard the USS Whitney, joined Schab at the ceremony. Both men are among the last living witnesses to an event that changed the course of history. Bob Fernandez, 100, a former sailor on the USS Curtiss, had planned to attend but canceled due to health issues.

Before the event, Fernandez shared his memories of that chaotic day. As a mess cook, he was serving coffee and food to sailors when alarms rang out. Through a porthole, he saw a Japanese plane with its red insignia streak past.

Rushing to the magazine room, Fernandez helped pass 5-inch shells to the ship’s guns while listening to gunfire above.

“I felt kind of scared because I didn’t know what the hell was going on,” he admitted.

The USS Curtiss managed to down a Japanese plane that crashed into one of its cranes. Shortly after, a dive bomber hit the ship, exploding below deck and igniting fires. Twenty-one sailors died, and nearly 60 were injured.

Despite his harrowing experiences, Fernandez dismissed being called a hero. “I’m not a hero,” he said. “I’m just nothing but an ammunition passer.”

The Ceremony: Honoring the Fallen

Held on a grassy field overlooking the harbor, the ceremony included a moment of silence at 7:54 a.m., marking the exact time the attack began in 1941. Shortly after, F-22 jets performed a missing man formation flyover, symbolizing the lives lost.

Schab and Stevens represented the 16 remaining survivors of the attack, a number that dwindles each year as time marches on. Over the decades, dozens of survivors attended the annual event; now, their presence is a rarity.

The ceremony honored the 2,300 U.S. servicemen killed in the attack, including the 1,177 sailors and Marines aboard the USS Arizona. The remains of more than 900 of its crew members remain entombed in the sunken vessel.

A Legacy of Courage and Sacrifice

The attack on Pearl Harbor is remembered as a defining moment in U.S. history, propelling the nation into World War II. Survivors like Schab and Fernandez serve as living links to that pivotal day, their stories preserving the memory of those who served and sacrificed.

Military historian J. Michael Wenger noted that approximately 87,000 military personnel were stationed on Oahu that day, with many playing vital roles in responding to the attack.

For Schab, the ceremony was not just a personal milestone but a collective tribute to his comrades. “I salute not just my comrades but the resilience of all who endured,” he said.

Looking Forward

As the number of living survivors diminishes, events like the annual remembrance ceremony become even more significant. They offer an opportunity to reflect on history, honor sacrifices, and pass on lessons of resilience and courage to future generations.

For those in attendance, Schab’s standing salute symbolized not just the endurance of one man but the enduring spirit of an entire generation that faced one of the darkest chapters in history with unyielding bravery.

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