Richard C. ‘Dick’ Higgins, one of many final survivors of the Pearl Harbor assault, handed away of pure causes on Tuesday on the age of 102 in Bend, Oregon, the household knowledgeable.
Higgins was a radioman stationed on the Hawaii naval base in the course of the Japanese bombing on December 7, 1941.
Vividly recalling the day of assault in a current interview, Higgins mentioned, “I jumped out of my bunk and I ran over to the sting of the lanai and simply as I received there, a airplane went proper over the barracks.”
Describing the Japanese planes with its flag as “massive pink meatballs”, he mentioned, “So, there was little question what was occurring in my thoughts, due to the issues that had been occurring.”
Born in Oklahoma in 1921, Higgins enlisted within the Navy in 1939 and later served as an aeronautics engineer, contributing to tasks just like the B-2 Stealth Bomber. His devotion to his work and nation was evident all through his life, as he continued to share his experiences from World Battle II and the Nice Despair with college students and the group.
Describing her grandfather as “humble and type”, Angela Norton mentioned, “It was by no means about him,” including, “The heroes had been people who didn’t come house.”
His spouse, Winnie Ruth, died in 2004 on the age of 82. That they had been married for sixty years.
Kathleen Farley, the California state chair of the Sons and Daughters of Pearl Harbor Survivors, reported that 22 survivors of the assault are nonetheless alive. Farley said that different survivors should be alive, however they will not be conscious of her as a result of they didn’t be a part of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Affiliation when it was based in 1958.
Higgins was survived by two kids, two grandsons, and 4 great-grandchildren. The household intends to carry a memorial service at a Bend church on Thursday, adopted by a ceremony with full army honors. Then his physique will probably be transferred to California, the place he will probably be buried alongside his spouse.
(With inputs from AP)
Higgins was a radioman stationed on the Hawaii naval base in the course of the Japanese bombing on December 7, 1941.
Vividly recalling the day of assault in a current interview, Higgins mentioned, “I jumped out of my bunk and I ran over to the sting of the lanai and simply as I received there, a airplane went proper over the barracks.”
Describing the Japanese planes with its flag as “massive pink meatballs”, he mentioned, “So, there was little question what was occurring in my thoughts, due to the issues that had been occurring.”
Born in Oklahoma in 1921, Higgins enlisted within the Navy in 1939 and later served as an aeronautics engineer, contributing to tasks just like the B-2 Stealth Bomber. His devotion to his work and nation was evident all through his life, as he continued to share his experiences from World Battle II and the Nice Despair with college students and the group.
Describing her grandfather as “humble and type”, Angela Norton mentioned, “It was by no means about him,” including, “The heroes had been people who didn’t come house.”
His spouse, Winnie Ruth, died in 2004 on the age of 82. That they had been married for sixty years.
Kathleen Farley, the California state chair of the Sons and Daughters of Pearl Harbor Survivors, reported that 22 survivors of the assault are nonetheless alive. Farley said that different survivors should be alive, however they will not be conscious of her as a result of they didn’t be a part of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Affiliation when it was based in 1958.
Higgins was survived by two kids, two grandsons, and 4 great-grandchildren. The household intends to carry a memorial service at a Bend church on Thursday, adopted by a ceremony with full army honors. Then his physique will probably be transferred to California, the place he will probably be buried alongside his spouse.
(With inputs from AP)
