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Honolulu — Richard C. “Dick” Higgins, one of many few remaining survivors of the Japanese assault on Pearl Harbor, has died, a member of the family stated Wednesday. He was 102.
Higgins died at house in Bend, Oregon, on Tuesday of pure causes, granddaughter Angela Norton stated.
Angela Norton through AP
Higgins was a radioman assigned to a patrol squadron of seaplanes based mostly on 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 ground of his barracks when the bombing started.
“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,” he stated in accordance with the interview by the Nationwide Museum of the Pacific Struggle in Fredericksburg, Texas.
He estimated the airplane was about 50 ft to his facet and 100 ft 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 taking place in my thoughts, due to the issues that had been occurring,” he stated.
Did his half
Norton known as her grandfather a humble and type man who would regularly go to colleges to share tales about Pearl Harbor, World Struggle II and the Nice Melancholy. 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 house.”
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 Company, which later turned Northrop Grumman, and different protection contractors. He labored on the B-2 Stealth Bomber, Norton stated.
“I am able to go see Winnie Ruth”
His spouse, Winnie Ruth, died in 2004 on the age of 82. That they had been married for 60 years.
Angela Norton through AP
Not lengthy after he went into hospice final Thursday, he instructed his granddaughter, “I am able to go see Winnie Ruth.”
“I stated, ‘It is OK, go house. Be with Jesus and be with Winnie Ruth,'” Norton stated. “‘It is OK to do this. Go away us. You have had such and full life.'”
Remaining survivors
There at the moment are 22 survivors of the assault nonetheless residing, stated Kathleen Farley, the California state chair of the Sons and Daughters of Pearl Harbor Survivors. Farley stated different survivors should be residing however not all joined the Pearl Harbor Survivors Affiliation when it was shaped in 1958 and so will not be recognized to her.
About 2,400 servicemen had been killed within the bombing, which launched the U.S. into World Struggle II. The usArizona battleship alone misplaced 1,177 sailors and Marines, practically half the demise toll.
About 87,000 army personnel had been on Oahu on Dec. 7, in accordance with 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 might be flown to California, the place he might be buried subsequent to his spouse.
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