Pearl Harbor’s Oldest Living Survivor Reflects on History

Freeman Johnson, the oldest living survivor of the Pearl Harbor attack, spent the day of the Japanese bombing far below deck working on the USS St. Louis. Johnson, now 106, did not witness the attack firsthand, nor did he hear the antiaircraft guns being fired. By the time he surfaced, the St. Louis had already maneuvered past submarines and was safely out to sea.

Johnson recalls, “While all the rigamarole was going on topside, I was inside a steam drum. Couldn’t see anything, absolutely nothing.” His home in Centerville, Massachusetts, showcases his naval memorabilia, including photos and Navy challenge coins. Even as the St. Louis ventured into the Pacific, he knew little about the attack, saying, “We were way out to sea, way out. You couldn’t see any land at all. All you saw was ocean.”

During school visits, children often ask if he was scared, but Johnson emphasizes, “You’re not scared. You’re too busy to be scared. Besides, you don’t know what you’re scared of. You can’t see anything. What are you afraid of?”

One of only 11 survivors

Johnson became the oldest survivor after the passing of fellow veteran Ira “Ike” Schab and Clarence Lane. With their deaths, only 11 survivors remain from the attack. Memorial Day, annually observed on Monday, honors the nation’s fallen service members. Pearl Harbor survivors attend remembrance ceremonies each year. Johnson, who previously avoided the spotlight, gradually gained recognition as the oldest survivor and now receives letters globally, being celebrated as a hero.

Despite health challenges, Johnson retains vivid memories from his service. Having joined the Navy at 19 to avoid the draft, he said, “As a kid, I walked. … I didn’t want to walk from France to Germany.” His reluctance to face physically demanding Army service led him to enlist in the Navy.

Witnessing history

Johnson’s recollections often focus on his experiences aboard the USS Iowa. He participated in commissioning the Iowa, where he vividly remembers President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s trip to the Tehran Conference. The ship was specially outfitted before carrying Roosevelt, then reloaded before departing. Johnson recalls, “It was a big meeting.”

Witnessing the end of the war aboard the USS Iowa, Johnson observed the surrender ceremony on Sept. 2, 1945. “I could see the boats coming up with the Marines escorting the Japanese onto ship,” he described, marking the war’s end.

Telling the story of Pearl Harbor

These days, Johnson’s daughter, Diane, accompanies him at remembrance events. She believes he has a duty to share the Pearl Harbor story, especially for the younger generation. Diane once corrected the record when a report claimed the death of the last survivor, further raising Johnson’s profile.

Johnson frequently leads the Cape Cod St. Patrick’s Parade, admired for his resilience. “I wish more people were like him today,” states parade chairman Desmond Keogh. Despite the attention, Johnson does not view Pearl Harbor as the defining moment of his life. For him, marrying his late wife and having three daughters hold that honor, alongside his post-war career spanning machinist work to delivering meals.

“Pearl Harbor just happened,” Johnson reflects. “I can’t put it any other way.”