December 7, 1941, is a day that will be etched in the memories of Americans for generations to come. On that fateful morning, the Imperial Japanese Navy launched a surprise attack on the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, killing 2,403 Americans and destroying much of the U.S. Pacific Fleet. The attack led to the United States’ entry into World War II, a conflict that would claim millions of lives worldwide.
Eighty years later, two survivors of the attack have returned to Hawaii to pay their respects to the lives lost during the devastating assault. Jack Holder, 104, and James Leavelle, 102, both Navy veterans, arrived in Honolulu last week to participate in the 80th-anniversary commemoration of the attack.
Holder, a former Navy radioman, was stationed on the USS Arizona, one of the battleships that sank during the attack. Leavelle, a former Navy signalman, was stationed on the USS Whitney, a destroyer that was moored in the harbor. Both men have vivid memories of the attack and the days that followed.
“I remember it like it was yesterday,” Holder said in an interview. “I was below deck when the attack started. I heard the sound of explosions and gunfire, and I knew something was wrong. I made my way up to the deck, and that’s when I saw the chaos. The Arizona was on fire, and there were bodies everywhere.”
Leavelle also recalled the horrors of that day. “I was on watch when the attack started,” he said. “I saw the Japanese planes coming in, and I knew we were in trouble. We returned fire, but it was too late. The Whitney was hit, but we managed to stay afloat.”
Both men spent the days following the attack helping with the rescue efforts and tending to the wounded. Holder was among the team that helped to recover the bodies of the sailors who died on the Arizona, while Leavelle helped to repair the damaged ships in the harbor.
Their visit to Hawaii marks the first time either man has returned to the island since the war. They were greeted by officials from the U.S. Navy and the National Park Service, which operates the USS Arizona Memorial, a shrine built over the sunken battleship.
The two survivors spent several days visiting the memorial and meeting with other veterans and families of those who died during the attack. They also participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at the memorial, where they paid their respects to the lives lost.
Their visit was a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by the men and women who served during World War II. It was also a testament to the enduring bond between the survivors of the attack and the people of Hawaii, who have come to regard the Pearl Harbor survivors as heroes.
The 80th-anniversary commemoration of the attack was marked by several events throughout the week, including a ceremony at the USS Arizona Memorial, a parade through the streets of Honolulu, and a wreath-laying ceremony at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.
The events were attended by officials from the U.S. government, the state of Hawaii, and the city of Honolulu, as well as by veterans and families of those who died during the attack.
In a statement, Rear Admiral Steve Barnett, commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, said, “The attack on Pearl Harbor was a pivotal moment in American history, and we honor the lives lost and the sacrifices made by the men and women who served during World War II. We are grateful for the bravery and selflessness of the survivors, who have shared their stories with us and helped to keep the memory of the attack alive.”
As the 80th anniversary of the attack comes to a close, the people of Hawaii and the United States will continue to remember the lives lost and the sacrifices made during World War II. The visit by Jack Holder and James Leavelle serves as a reminder of the enduring legacy of the Pearl Harbor survivors and the importance of preserving their stories for future generations.
