101-year-old returns to Pearl Harbor to remember those lost

[George II]

Source: Associated Press

By AUDREY McAVOY and GILLIAN FLACCUS today

HONOLULU (AP) — When Japanese bombs began falling on Pearl Harbor, U.S. Navy Seaman 1st Class David Russell first sought refuge below deck on the USS Oklahoma.

But a split-second decision on that December morning 80 years ago changed his mind, and likely saved his life.

“They started closing that hatch. And I decided to get out of there,” Russell, now 101, said in a recent interview.

Within 12 minutes his battleship would capsize under a barrage of torpedoes. Altogether 429 sailors and Marines from the Oklahoma would perish — the greatest death toll from any ship that day other than the USS Arizona, which lost 1,177.

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/lifestyle-veterans-oklahoma-world-war-ii-d3db8d688fb1c8fcc2045c00266f3aff

[NurseJackie]

1. Fewer and fewer remain...

... I'm grateful that others have made an effort to reach out, interview, and document their stories and memories.

[twodogsbarking]

2. Peace.

[FakeNoose]

3. Oh my! A day that lives in infamy

My parents were teenagers when Pearl Harbor was bombed, but it made a huge impact on their entire generation.

[George II]

5. My parents were celebrating their first wedding anniversary* when the radio reports came over.

*They eloped and were married in February 1940, but announced it to the family on December 7, 1940.

[twodogsbarking]

6. My parents were on their way home to Pa from a honeymoon

in Chicago. They married 11/29/41. What a start.

[3catwoman3]

4. He looks quite hale and hearty...

…for 101!

[MustLoveBeagles]

7. K&R