CENTERVILLE, Mass. (AP) — The day of the Pearl Harbor attack found Freeman Johnson deep below deck, busy repairing one of the USS St. Louis’ boilers. Johnson, who celebrated his 106th birthday in March, was the oldest living survivor of the Japanese attack. He did not witness the surprise assault. While his shipmates fired antiaircraft guns at attacking planes, Johnson was unaware of the events until much later. When he finally reached the ship’s deck, the St. Louis, a light cruiser, had already avoided several threats and set sail safely.
“While everything was happening topside, I was inside a steam drum. Couldn’t see a thing,” Johnson, now residing in Centerville, Massachusetts, recalled. His home reflects his naval past, overflowing with memorabilia, photographs of the St. Louis, and Navy challenge coins and ribbons. Despite the ship’s rapid departure into the Pacific Ocean, as a fireman aboard, Johnson remained largely uninformed about the attack.
“We were way out to sea. All you saw was ocean,” he noted. “I was just a sailor. They don’t tell you anything you don’t need to know. So they told me nothing.”
When visiting schools, Johnson is often asked by children if he was scared. “You’re not scared. You’re too busy,” he replied. “Besides, you don’t know what to be scared of if you can’t see it.”
Becoming the Oldest Survivor
After the passing of fellow World War II Navy veteran Ira “Ike” Schab in December at 105, Johnson became the eldest survivor. Of the surprise attack that killed over 2,400 troops, now only 11 survivors remain. As the nation prepares for Memorial Day, which honors its fallen service members, about 87,000 troops had been stationed on Oahu during the attack. Annually, Pearl Harbor survivors are remembered at a military base’s waterfront ceremony, though their numbers have dwindled significantly over the years.
Increased Recognition
Throughout his life, Johnson avoided the spotlight. “I was just one of many sailors,” he remembered. Initially, even his wife Ruth’s pride met only skepticism. However, as his story gained traction, Johnson found himself viewed as a local figure. At his 106th birthday, television cameras captured the moment he arrived by limousine.
Despite hearing challenges, Johnson recalls his wartime experiences well. At 19, unemployed and living in Waltham, he enlisted in the Navy, believing it less physically demanding than the Army. “I walked everywhere as a kid,” he said, expressing his reluctance to march with heavy gear through France’s muddy terrain.
Witnessing Historic Events
Johnson’s recollections include the commissioning of the USS Iowa, which he joined after the St. Louis. Notably, he remembered the ship’s preparations to transport President Franklin D. Roosevelt to the Tehran Conference in 1943. The Iowa was equipped with elevators and a bathtub for Roosevelt, with ammunition removed to lighten the ship down the Potomac River.
Johnson also witnessed the war’s conclusion aboard the Iowa. Standing on its mast, he watched the surrender ceremonies from afar in Tokyo Bay on September 2, 1945. “I saw the Marines escorting the Japanese onto the USS Missouri,” he said. “That was it. The war was over.”
Sharing the Pearl Harbor Story
Accompanied by his daughter Diane, Johnson regularly attends remembrance events. Encouraged by his daughter, who reminds him of his “responsibility” to share Pearl Harbor’s history, he has become more visible in recent years.
Desmond Keogh, chairman of the Cape Cod St. Patrick’s Parade, appreciates Johnson’s participation, describing him as emblematic of “what this country was all about.” He added, “They did what was best for their country.”
Despite the increased attention, Johnson finds more significance in personal milestones such as marrying his late wife and raising three daughters. Reflecting his pragmatic view of history, he concluded, “Pearl Harbor just happened.”
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