by Nancy A. Nease, Historian
It was a beautiful picture postcard Sunday morning. The battleship bands were preparing for morning colors while sailors on the mess deck were having their breakfast; many were planning their day of liberty. At 7:55am on December 7, 1941, that peaceful Sunday morning was shattered as the Japanese navy launched their surprise attack on Pearl Harbor. Men scrambled for their battle stations, most onboard the USS Arizona did not make it. Within minutes, an explosion rocked the mighty battleship. For most of the men, escape from the inferno was impossible. Only 335 men survived, 1,177 were lost. Of those 1,177 over 900 remain forever entombed on their beloved ship. Today there are only 18 known survivors remaining; 17 Navy and 1 Marine.
Seventy years later, seven USS Arizona survivors are returning to Pearl Harbor to pay homage to their fellow shipmates and family; John Anderson, Lauren Bruner, Louis Conter, Lonnie Cook, Joseph Langdell, Donald Stratton and Edward Wentzlaff. Survivor John Anderson lost his twin brother Delbert that day. Others lost close friends.
An eighth survivor, Vernon Olsen, will also be returning to Pearl Harbor. He will rejoin his lost USS Arizona shipmates on December 7 during a private ceremony held on the Memorial. The urn containing his ashes will be placed with fellow survivors inside the barbette of gun turret number four, an honor reserved only for USS Arizona survivors.
During this 70th anniversary, 110 members of the USS Arizona Reunion Association, including the seven survivors, will be holding their annual reunion in Hawaii December 5-12. Many people have asked me in the last few days if this will be the last time the survivors return to Pearl Harbor. My feeling is, if they can return, they will continue to make the journey. Maybe not as an organized group, but they will come I have no doubt, until it is the “last man standing”.
Reunion Coordinator, Ruth Campbell, has planned an unforgettable reunion with many wonderful surprises that begin at check-in. The group will travel to Punch Bowl, Pearl Harbor Visitor Center, and of course, the USS Arizona Memorial. Other activities will include a tour, luau, and banquet.
