Oldest Pearl Harbor survivor is keeping memory of the surprise bombing alive at 106

Freeman Johnson, at 106, is the nation’s oldest living Pearl Harbor survivor, offering a personal perspective on a watershed moment in World War II. He served as a fireman aboard the USS St. Louis and was below deck tending a boiler when the surprise attack began; by the time he reached the surface, the ship had maneuvered away from subs and chaos. The Centerville, Massachusetts resident preserves photos, dog tags, and medals from a long Navy career, and he recalls that sailors were too busy to be afraid and that danger cannot be seen at sea. He is one of 11 survivors remaining after years of losses. The memory is kept alive through Memorial Day remembrances and ongoing public interest as aging veterans thin the ranks.