Raymond Haerry passes

Raymond Haerry, who was one of the few survivors of the USS Arizona left with us, passed on September 27th, according to the Washington Post;

After the first explosions rocked the USS Arizona, Raymond Haerry sprinted to one of the ship’s antiaircraft guns, hoping to somehow repel the aerial bombardment.

But the weapon wouldn’t fire. The gun’s ammunition was in storage.

Haerry raced toward the ammunition depot. An explosion reached it first, igniting gunpowder and fuel, according to a U.S. Navy interview featuring Haerry and his son. The explosion cracked the ship in two and lifted the bow into the air.

Haerry went with it, falling into oily Pearl Harbor waters that had been lit on fire. He somehow made it to shore, sweeping his arms in front of him as he swam to push the flames away.

He spent the next few days pulling his shipmates from the water. According to the Post, only five Arizona survivors remain. From the Arizona Republic, they are;

Lauren Bruner, 95, of La Mirada, Calif.
Lou Conter, 95, of Grass Valley, Calif.
Lonnie Cook, 95, of Morris, Okla.
Ken Potts, 95, of Provo, Utah.
Donald Stratton, 94, of Colorado Springs, Colo.

Haerry had served on the aircraft carrier, USS Ranger until he volunteered for the Arizona in September 1941 at Pearl.

After Pearl Harbor, Raymond went on to serve 24 years total in the Navy retiring as a master chief petty officer in 1964.

Thanks to Chief Tango for the link.

Category: We Remember