Richard C. “Dick” Higgins, one of the few remaining survivors of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, has died, a member of the family stated Wednesday. He was 102.Higgins died at residence in Bend, Oregon, on Tuesday of pure causes, granddaughter Angela Norton stated.Higgins was a radioman assigned to a patrol squadron of seaplanes based mostly at the Hawaii naval base when Japanese planes started dropping bombs on the morning of Dec. 7, 1941. He recounted in a 2008 oral historical past interview how he was in his bunk inside a screened-in lanai, or porch, on the third flooring of his barracks when the bombing started. “I jumped out of my bunk and I ran over to the edge of the lanai and simply as I obtained there, a airplane went proper over the barracks,” he stated based on the interview by the National Museum of the Pacific War in Fredericksburg, Texas.He estimated the airplane was about 50 toes (15 meters) to his facet and 100 toes (30 meters) above his barracks. He described “huge crimson meatballs” on the airplane, in reference to the crimson round emblem painted on the wings and fuselages of the Japanese plane. “So, there was little question what was occurring in my thoughts, as a result of of the issues that had been going on,” he stated. Norton referred to as her grandfather a humble and type man who would ceaselessly go to colleges to share tales about Pearl Harbor, World War II and the Great Depression. Norton stated he wished to show individuals historical past so they would not repeat it. “It was by no means about him,” Norton stated. “The heroes had been those who did not come residence.”Higgins was born on a farm close to Mangum, Oklahoma, on July 24, 1921. He joined the Navy in 1939 and retired 20 years later. He then turned an aeronautics engineer for Northrop Corporation, which later turned Northrop Grumman, and different protection contractors. He labored on the B-2 Stealth Bomber, Norton stated. His spouse, Winnie Ruth, died in 2004 at the age of 82. They had been married for 60 years. Not lengthy after he went into hospice final Thursday, he instructed his granddaughter, “I’m able to go see Winnie Ruth.””I stated, ‘It’s OK, go residence. Be with Jesus and be with Winnie Ruth,'” Norton stated. “‘It’s okay to do this. Leave us. You’ve had it is such a superb and full life.'” There are actually 22 survivors of the attack nonetheless dwelling, stated Kathleen Farley, the California state chair of the Sons and Daughters of Pearl Harbor Survivors. Farley stated different survivors should still be dwelling however not all joined the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association when it was fashioned in 1958 and so is probably not identified to her.About 2,400 servicemen had been killed in the bombing, which launched the U.S. into World War II. The USS Arizona battleship alone misplaced 1,177 sailors and Marines, almost half the dying toll. About 87,000 army personnel had been on Oahu on Dec. 7, based on a tough estimate compiled by army historian J. Michael Wenger. Higgins is survived by two youngsters, two grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. The household plans to carry a memorial service at a church in Bend on Thursday adopted by a ceremony with full army honors. Afterward his physique will likely be flown to California, the place he will likely be buried subsequent to his spouse.
Richard C. “Dick” Higgins, one of the few remaining survivors of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, has died, a member of the family stated Wednesday. He was 102.
Higgins died at residence in Bend, Oregon, on Tuesday of pure causes, granddaughter Angela Norton stated.
Higgins was a radioman assigned to a patrol squadron of seaplanes based mostly at the Hawaii naval base when Japanese planes started dropping bombs on the morning of Dec. 7, 1941.
He recounted in a 2008 oral historical past interview how he was in his bunk inside a screened-in lanai, or porch, on the third flooring of his barracks when the bombing started.
“I jumped out of my bunk and I ran over to the edge of the lanai and simply as I obtained there, a airplane went proper over the barracks,” he stated based on the interview by the National Museum of the Pacific War in Fredericksburg, Texas.
He estimated the airplane was about 50 toes (15 meters) to his facet and 100 toes (30 meters) above his barracks. He described “huge crimson meatballs” on the airplane, in reference to the crimson round emblem painted on the wings and fuselages of the Japanese plane.
“So, there was little question what was occurring in my thoughts, as a result of of the issues that had been going on,” he stated.
Norton referred to as her grandfather a humble and type man who would ceaselessly go to colleges to share tales about Pearl Harbor, World War II and the Great Depression. Norton stated he wished to show individuals historical past so they would not repeat it.
“It was by no means about him,” Norton stated. “The heroes had been those who did not come residence.”
Higgins was born on a farm close to Mangum, Oklahoma, on July 24, 1921. He joined the Navy in 1939 and retired 20 years later. He then turned an aeronautics engineer for Northrop Corporation, which later turned Northrop Grumman, and different protection contractors. He labored on the B-2 Stealth Bomber, Norton stated.
His spouse, Winnie Ruth, died in 2004 at the age of 82. They had been married for 60 years.
Not lengthy after he went into hospice final Thursday, he instructed his granddaughter, “I’m able to go see Winnie Ruth.”
“I stated, ‘It’s OK, go residence. Be with Jesus and be with Winnie Ruth,'” Norton stated. “‘It’s okay to do this. Leave us. You’ve had it is such a superb and full life.'”
There are actually 22 survivors of the attack nonetheless dwelling, stated Kathleen Farley, the California state chair of the Sons and Daughters of Pearl Harbor Survivors. Farley stated different survivors should still be dwelling however not all joined the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association when it was fashioned in 1958 and so is probably not identified to her.
About 2,400 servicemen had been killed in the bombing, which launched the U.S. into World War II. The USS Arizona battleship alone misplaced 1,177 sailors and Marines, almost half the dying toll.
About 87,000 army personnel had been on Oahu on Dec. 7, based on a tough estimate compiled by army historian J. Michael Wenger.
Higgins is survived by two youngsters, two grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. The household plans to carry a memorial service at a church in Bend on Thursday adopted by a ceremony with full army honors. Afterward his physique will likely be flown to California, the place he will likely be buried subsequent to his spouse.
