Oldest Pearl Harbor Survivor Is Keeping Memory of the Surprise Bombing Alive at 106

Freeman Johnson, now 106, stands as the oldest Pearl Harbor survivor and reflects on the day from below deck aboard the USS St. Louis. He was a fireman and did not witness the bombing firsthand, with the ship already maneuvering at sea as the attack unfolded. Johnson preserves photos, dog tags, and ribbons from his Navy service, noting that sailors were too busy to fear and could not see danger. As the oldest survivor, he has become a local figure who shares memories at ceremonies and schools, illustrating how dwindling numbers of veterans carry forward a pivotal historical moment that shaped the United States’ entry into World War II.