On a tranquil Sunday morning in December 1941, the serenity of Pearl Harbor was shattered by a devastating surprise attack. Japanese bombers rained down from the sky, transforming the idyllic Hawaiian waters into a scene of unimaginable destruction.Amidst the chaos and carnage, 17-year-old Earl “Chuck” Kohler, a Minnesota farm boy turned sailor, refused to cower.
as bombs exploded and flames engulfed ships, Kohler defied direct orders to seek shelter. Driven by a fierce sense of duty and patriotism, he raced to retrieve ammunition, determined to fight back against the invaders. The attack claimed the lives of 2,403 Americans and plunged the United States into World War II, a day forever etched in history as “a date which will live in infamy,” as President Franklin D.Roosevelt declared.
Kohler and his comrades valiantly defended Ford Island against the relentless onslaught of the second wave of Japanese bombers. ”Maybe (I was) a dumb farm boy,” Kohler recounted in a poignant interview preserved by the Library of Congress, “but I know this is the beginning of that war that they’d been talking about and waiting for, and I know that if I’m going to lose my life here, I don’t want to lose it in that ditch. I’m going to want my family and my country to know I died fighting, not hiding.”
KohlerS brave actions exemplified the unwavering spirit of the American defenders who faced unimaginable horrors that fateful day. His story serves as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by those who fought to protect their nation and the enduring legacy of Pearl Harbor.
Don Kohler, a World War II veteran who survived the attack on Pearl Harbor, passed away peacefully at the age of 103. Kohler,a Navy veteran,was one of the last remaining survivors of the devastating attack that propelled the United States into World War II.
Born into a large family of sharecroppers, Kohler’s childhood was marked by hard work and a strong sense of duty. “I had learned early in life that you never run from a challenge or fight, you always run to it. You can’t beat them by running from them,” he once said,reflecting on his decision to enlist in the Navy at the age of 17.
“If I am to be considered a representative of people of my generation as I’ve tried to be for all those that were lost at Pearl Harbor, I hope I have done it in a way that will have made them proud and brought to them the well-deserved honor and continued remembrance that they so rightfully deserve,” Kohler said, expressing his deep respect for his fallen comrades.
Kohler’s passing marks the loss of a true American hero, a man who witnessed history and dedicated his life to honoring the memory of those who perished on that fateful day. His legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.
This Saturday marks the 83rd anniversary of the devastating attack on Pearl Harbor, a day that forever changed the course of American history. As the nation prepares to honor the memory of those lost and the bravery of those who survived,a dwindling number of living witnesses to that fateful day remain.
Among them is a 100-year-old veteran, believed to be one of only 16 Pearl Harbor survivors still living, according to Kathleen Farley, the California state chair of the Sons and Daughters of Pearl Harbor Survivors. Tragically, of the 2,403 Americans killed in the attack, 1,177 were aboard the USS Arizona. Lou Conter, the last known survivor of the attack on that ship, passed away in April.
Thousands will gather on the shores of Pearl Harbor this weekend to pay tribute to the members of the Greatest Generation, those who endured the Great Depression and then fought valiantly in world War II.The commemoration will honor their “sacrifice, courage, and indomitable perseverance,” as stated by organizers.
“The Sons and Daughters of pearl Harbor survivors’ motto is ‘Least We Forget.’ we have not forgotten the 87,000 active military who were on the island of Oahu on December 7, 1941,”
Farley, whose father, John Farley, survived the attack while aboard the USS California, emphasized the importance of remembering the sacrifices made that day. “Several events are planned to honor our beloved Pearl Harbor survivors, our fathers, grandfathers and great-grandfathers who were there, and we certainly know their stories,” she said. “May those who have gone before us, fair winds and following seas. We, the Sons and Daughters, will carry on with yoru history with pride.”
Survivors attend anniversary events in Hawaii and California
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At least two survivors – Ken Stevens and Ira “Ike” Schab Jr. – are expected to attend the Pearl Harbor Remembrance ceremony in Oahu, according to reports. Similar commemorative events will also be held in California,ensuring that the memory of Pearl Harbor is honored across the nation.
At the age of 104, World War II veteran Donald Schab made a poignant return to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, to commemorate the 82nd anniversary of the devastating attack. Schab,who witnessed the events of December 7,1941,firsthand,was greeted with a hero’s welcome upon his arrival at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport on Tuesday.
The US Pacific Fleet Band and the Joint Base pearl Harbor-Hickam honor Guard paid tribute to Schab, a testament to the enduring respect for his service. His journey to Hawaii was made possible by the unwavering support of his family, who raised over $5,000 to help him attend the Pearl Harbor Commemorations.
Schab’s return to Pearl Harbor was a deeply personal decision. initially, the painful memories associated with the attack had deterred him from revisiting the site. However, as the number of surviving veterans dwindled, Schab felt a profound sense of duty to honor those who could no longer make the trip.
“He said, ‘As long as I’m able to make the trip, I want to make the trip for the people that can’t make the trip,’”
His son, Karl Schab, shared this heartfelt sentiment with Hawaii News Now, highlighting his father’s unwavering commitment to remembering the sacrifices made on that fateful day.
Schab’s presence at the Pearl Harbor Commemorations serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring legacy of that historic day. His story is a testament to the courage and resilience of those who served, and a call to remember the sacrifices made to preserve freedom.
On a tranquil Sunday morning in December 1941,the serenity of Pearl Harbor was shattered by a surprise attack that would forever etch itself into American history. Among those caught in the chaos was 20-year-old musician, Donald Schab, stationed aboard the USS Dobbin.
Schab had just finished his morning routine,enjoying a cup of coffee after his shower,when the deafening roar of explosions ripped through the air. His younger brother, Allen, was visiting and they had planned to explore Honolulu together. But fate had other plans.
“Being scared,” Schab later recalled in an interview with Hawaii News Now, “wondering about my brothers. Where they were.”
The Japanese attack, launched around 8 a.m. on December 7th, involved a devastating wave of 353 planes, 35 submarines, and two battleships. The surprise assault left a trail of destruction, with over 160 american aircraft destroyed.
The air was thick with smoke and the acrid smell of burning oil and metal. Ships, once symbols of American naval might, were torn apart by torpedoes and bombs, sending massive plumes of black smoke billowing into the sky.
A Day of Infamy: Remembering Pearl Harbor
December 7, 1941, dawned like any other Sunday morning in Honolulu, Hawaii.But the tranquility was shattered just before 8:00 a.m. when a wave of Japanese fighter planes and bombers descended upon Pearl Harbor, the U.S.Navy’s Pacific Fleet headquarters.The surprise attack,a devastating blow to American forces,plunged the nation into World War II. The assault was swift and brutal. Torpedoes ripped through the hulls of battleships, sending columns
earl “Chuck” Kohler, a World War II veteran, vividly remembers the chaos and devastation of the attack on Pearl Harbor. At just 17 years old, Kohler found himself thrust into the heart of the conflict, his youthful innocence shattered by the roar of explosions and the sight of burning ships.
Despite being ordered to take cover, Kohler’s sense of duty compelled him to act. “What affected me the most was seeing those ships explode, capsize, and knowing that with every one of those events there were a lot of lives being lost,” Kohler recalled. He grabbed a 50-caliber machine gun and ammunition, joining the fight against the attacking warplanes.
Now, decades later, Kohler will be honoring the memory of those lost at Pearl Harbor in a unique way. Instead of being in Hawaii, he will be speaking at the annual Beacon lighting ceremony hosted by Save Mount Diablo, a conservation nonprofit in California. The ceremony pays tribute to the lives lost at Pearl Harbor and honors surviving veterans.
The Beacon on Mount Diablo, originally installed in 1928 to aid transcontinental aviation, was extinguished during the West Coast blackout following the Pearl Harbor attack. It remained dark until 1964, when Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz, Commander in Chief of Pacific Forces during World War II, relit the Beacon on Pearl Harbor Day. He suggested it be illuminated every december 7th to honor those who served and sacrificed.
“In my way of thinking it gives the few survivors that are left an opportunity to reach back across the miles and the years and reconnect once again with our sunken shipmates and fallen comrades,” kohler told CNN.
On a somber anniversary, the world remembers the tragic loss of life that occurred on september 11, 2001. Twenty-two years ago, the unthinkable happened, forever altering the landscape of American history and leaving an indelible mark on the global psyche.
Among the countless stories of heroism and resilience that emerged from the ashes of that day,the tale of the fallen firefighters stands as a testament to unwavering courage and selflessness. These brave men and women rushed into the heart of danger, putting their own lives on the line to save others.
retired firefighter, Jim Kohler, who witnessed the horrors of that day firsthand, poignantly reflects on the enduring legacy of those lost. “I believe that if those who were lost there that day had a voice of their own,” Kohler says, “they would say, ‘Remember us.'”
Kohler’s words serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of remembrance. As the years pass, it is crucial to ensure that the sacrifices made on 9/11 are never forgotten. The stories of those who perished, the bravery of the first responders, and the unwavering spirit of a nation united in grief must continue to be shared and honored.
The events of September 11, 2001, forever changed the world.But amidst the tragedy, stories of courage, compassion, and resilience emerged, reminding us of the enduring strength of the human spirit.
Let us never forget.
