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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 mentioned Wednesday. He was 102.
Higgins died at residence in Bend, Oregon, on Tuesday of pure causes, granddaughter Angela Norton mentioned.
Angela Norton through AP
Higgins was a radioman assigned to a patrol squadron of seaplanes primarily based 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 flooring 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 acquired there, a aircraft went proper over the barracks,” he mentioned based on the interview by the Nationwide Museum of the Pacific Struggle in Fredericksburg, Texas.
He estimated the aircraft was about 50 ft to his facet and 100 ft above his barracks. He described “large pink meatballs” on the aircraft, in reference to the pink round emblem painted on the wings and fuselages of the Japanese plane.
“So, there was little doubt what was taking place in my thoughts, due to the issues that had been occurring,” he mentioned.
Did his half
Norton known as her grandfather a humble and type man who would continuously go to colleges to share tales about Pearl Harbor, World Struggle II and the Nice Melancholy. Norton mentioned he wished to show folks historical past so they would not repeat it.
“It was by no means about him,” Norton mentioned. “The heroes had been people 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 Company, which later turned Northrop Grumman, and different protection contractors. He labored on the B-2 Stealth Bomber, Norton mentioned.
“I am able to go see Winnie Ruth”
His spouse, Winnie Ruth, died in 2004 on the age of 82. They’d been married for 60 years.
Angela Norton through AP
Not lengthy after he went into hospice final Thursday, he informed his granddaughter, “I am able to go see Winnie Ruth.”
“I mentioned, ‘It is OK, go residence. Be with Jesus and be with Winnie Ruth,'” Norton mentioned. “‘It is OK to do this. Depart us. You have had such an excellent and full life.'”
Remaining survivors
There at the moment are 22 survivors of the assault nonetheless residing, mentioned Kathleen Farley, the California state chair of the Sons and Daughters of Pearl Harbor Survivors. Farley mentioned different survivors should still be residing however not all joined the Pearl Harbor Survivors Affiliation when it was fashioned in 1958 and so will not be identified to her.
About 2,400 servicemen had been killed within the bombing, which launched the U.S. into World Struggle II. The united statesArizona battleship alone misplaced 1,177 sailors and Marines, practically 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 kids, 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.
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