Pearl Harbor survivor back for 1st time since war

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii – Retired firefighter Ed Johann was a teenage apprentice seaman on Dec. 7, 1941, when he spotted Japanese planes coming in over Pearl Harbor.

He thought they were U.S. aircraft conducting drills until explosions and flames erupted from stricken ships in the harbor.

The 86-year-old Oregonian is due to return Monday to Pearl Harbor for the first time since World War II to attend a ceremony marking the 68th anniversary of the attack.

December 7th, 2009

68 years ago TODAY!!!

The attack on Pearl Harbor was an unannounced military strike conducted by the Japanese navy against the United States’ naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on the morning of Sunday, December 7, 1941 which resulted in the United States becoming militarily involved in World War II.

Johann's motor launcher boat rushed to the USS Arizona, which was hit by several bombs, one of which struck her forward ammunition magazines and set off a massive explosion. Already fueled and manned when the attack began, their 30-foot boat was the first rescue vessel to arrive at the scene.

That story brought tears to my eyes.
My dad was on the deck of the U.S.S.Arizona on that fateful day. I'm sure their paths crossed.

I posted this on another thread.

My dad was on the U.S.S. Arizona when it was bombed on that fateful day. (one of about 80 actual survivors)
He joined with 19 other men from a small town
in Alabama ,they all perished.
He seldom spoke to anyone about this event.
He gave an interview later in his life and I'll always remember one line.
He was talking of emotions after the attack . The interviewer kept pushing as to who was in charge.
He told the interviewer that a person did whatever they were big enough to do.
That was some generation .
He was there at the start (Dec7,1941) and was also there for Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

God bless your Dad. Those were the days when men were men in their teens! There is no comparison to the “youts” of today. My Dad was 17 living in Scotland and joined the Merchant Marines...was D-day 30 supplying from the Merchant Marine vessel at Utah Beach (I think that’s the correct beachhead) He saw many killed by bouncing bettys. He would chat about his experience with a dear friend and they would both cry. My Dad died almost 5 years ago and his friend passed away a year ago. They were a remarkable generation and we are so blessed to have had them as our rolemodel parents.

God Bless your Dad. You know you had a genuine hero father.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.