Posted on 12/04/2024 7:45:19 PM PST by Jyotishi
[Video] Ira “Ike” Schab Jr. of Portland is one of the few remaining survivors of that day, and the only one left from the USS Dobbin.
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) -- A 104-year-old respected war veteran and Pearl Harbor survivor is back in Hawaii.
Ira “Ike” Schab Jr. of Portland touched down in Honolulu Tuesday ahead of the 83rd commemoration the attack on Pearl Harbor. He’s one of the few remaining survivors of that day, and the only one left from the USS Dobbin.
His flight was met with a water cannon salute, and at the gate, sounds of the Navy’s U.S. Pacific Fleet Band filled the air.
“What do you remember from that day?” he was asked.
“Oh, being scared, more than anything else,” he replied. “Wondering about my brothers. Where they were.”
As a musician in the Navy band, Schab was starting a seemingly quiet day when the attack in 1941 began. He quickly sprung into action, feeding ammunition to the gunners.
All these years later, he’s back in the islands to commemorate the solemn anniversary, and the lives of those lost.
“I’m one of the very few left -- and they deserve to be recognized and honored,” he added.
For many years, Ike’s family said he didn’t want to return to the islands because the memories of the attack were just too painful.
“It was an embarrassment for a long time,” Ike said about the attack. His son Karl Schab added, “In the time, it was kind of a shock the United States that we were attacked and so the embarrassment was real. And then when I was stationed here, I said, ‘Hey dad, come out and visit.’ He said, ‘No I really don’t have any desire to relive that.’”
However, several years ago during the 75th anniversary, he changed his mind after seeing how few survivors remained. ”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,’” Karl said. He’s since returned to Pearl Harbor annually. Joining him from Portland this year are 14 of his family members and caregivers.
“It’s a real chicken-skin moment. It’s tearful, it’s so special and meaningful to be a part of that,” John Kim, president of Hawaiian Airlines’ Veterans Employee Network, said.
“It’s important for us as Americans to recognize service men and women like Ike because they helped to shape the foundation of our country and allows us to be free,” Kim added.
The cost to get him to the islands and ensure care is available around the clock is steep, and family members have set up a GoFundMe to help pay for various expenses. It has already raised more than $4,300.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-pop-return-to-pearl-again
As Ike reflects on the past, his service is celebrated, and the memory of his fellow sailors lives on.
“What do you want your legacy to be remembered by?” he was asked. “That I remembered them. This is a second home,” he said.
Why is this article all blurry?
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Born in 1960, I failed to appreciated Pearl Harbor Day until 9-11-01.
Then it all changed.
God bless him. We lost my fiend, Lou Conter, aged 104 1/2, last survivor of the USS Arizona on April 1, and I miss him terribly
There will be ceremonies at Pearl Harbor this Saturday.
Guy has lived to 104 years. What an accomplishment. He was born in 1920. Imagine what all he has seen in his lifetime.
My grandfather was born in 1895. His first flight was in a Curtis JN-4 Jenny in the US Army in France during WW 1. His last flight was on a 747 to Hawaii and back.
God bless you Mr. Schab. Thank you for my freedom.
Wow!
“We lost my friend, Lou Conter, aged 104 1/2, last survivor of the USS Arizona”
.
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My Dad’s PBY “Black Cats” co-pilot in the South Pacific—especially in and around Rabaul.
(as you know—and thanks for the CD).
:)
“It’s tearful, it’s so special and meaningful to be a part of that,” said John Kim, president of Hawaiian Airlines’ Veterans Employee Network”
.
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Especially interesting, as my Dad piloted for Hawaiian Airlines after the war. There was a newspapers.com picture and reference to his being in a “gang” of Hawaiian Airlines pilots named after a senior pilot.
That’s pretty cool.
I read once that Orville Wright once flew in jet aircraft.
Imagine being the guy who invented powered flight living long enough to fly a jet.
Was your grandfather a pilot?
He was a pilot. He was in the Signal Corps. His job was to fly over the German trenches and make maps. No parachute and their only defense was a .45 colt and a 1903 Springfield. He survived 3 crashes. Came home in 1919 and lived to be 90.
[snip] "It was an embarrassment for a long time," Ike said about the attack. His son Karl Schab added, "In the time, it was kind of a shock the United States that we were attacked and so the embarrassment was real. And then when I was stationed here, I said, 'Hey dad, come out and visit.' He said, 'No I really don't have any desire to relive that.'"
However, several years ago during the 75th anniversary, he changed his mind after seeing how few survivors remained. "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,'" Karl said. He's since returned to Pearl Harbor annually. Joining him from Portland this year are 14 of his family members and caregivers. [/snip]
Wow. What an awesome memory. I’ve read a few books about WWI pilots.
A friend is a descendent of Von Richtoffen. The family has some of his personal items.
As always. I’ll be at the cemetery where Lou was laid to rest in Grass Valley, CA, at the anniversary hour
And I remember you. God bless
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