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Harry Chandler, a Navy medic renowned for his bravery during the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, has passed away at the age of 103. He died on Monday at a senior living facility in Tequesta, Florida, as confirmed by Ron Mahaffee, who is the husband of Chandler’s granddaughter, Kelli Fahey. While Chandler suffered from congestive heart failure, the medical staff noted his advanced age as a significant factor in his passing.
Chandler’s death marks the third loss of a Pearl Harbor survivor in recent weeks. On December 7, 1941, Chandler was serving as a hospital corpsman 3rd class when Japanese forces launched a devastating assault on the naval base, a pivotal moment that propelled the United States into World War II.
Reflecting on that fateful day during an interview with The Associated Press earlier this year, Chandler recounted witnessing the approaching enemy aircraft while he was in the midst of raising the flag at a mobile hospital located in Aiea Heights, overlooking the harbor. “At first, I thought they were planes coming in from the states until I saw the bombs dropping,” he recounted, explaining how his instinct was to seek shelter. “I was afraid that they’d start strafing,” he added.
In the chaos that ensued, Chandler and his unit were dispatched to provide aid to the wounded. He recounted in an oral history interview with Pacific Historic Parks that he boarded a boat to rescue sailors from the water, which was slick with oil due to the explosions. Despite the horrific circumstances, Chandler focused intently on his efforts, claiming the frenzy of activity kept fear at bay. “It got so busy you weren’t scared. Weren’t scared at all. We were busy. It was after you got scared,” he noted.
Chandler later acknowledged the danger he faced that day but explained how his focus on caring for others helped him avoid contemplating his own mortality. The attack on Pearl Harbor resulted in the deaths of over 2,300 military personnel, with nearly half of those—1,177—being sailors and Marines aboard the USS Arizona, which sank shortly after being bombed. In a recent loss related to Pearl Harbor, Lou Conter, the last living survivor of the USS Arizona, died in his sleep at 102 due to congestive heart failure.
During a visit to Pearl Harbor for the 82nd anniversary of the attack, Chandler’s memories returned vividly. “I look out there, and I can still see what’s going on. I can still see what was happening,” he remarked, emphasizing the lasting impact of those moments on his life. He also expressed his thoughts on national preparedness, stressing that better intelligence could have potentially prevented such a catastrophic event. “Be prepared,” he urged, highlighting a lesson from history that resonates deeply today.
Stefany Valderrama, a news anchor at CBS affiliate WPEC-TV, expressed her admiration for Chandler following interviews conducted in recent years. “I’ve never walked away from an interview just so in awe of someone,” she stated, noting his powerful recollections and eloquent narration of his experiences during the attack.
Post-war, Chandler pursued a career as a painter and wallpaper hanger, eventually co-owning an upholstery business with his brother. He also continued his service in the Navy reserves, culminating in his retirement as a senior chief in 1981. Born in Holyoke, Massachusetts, he spent most of his adult life in nearby South Hadley before dividing his later years between Massachusetts and Florida. An avid golfer, he achieved five hole-in-ones throughout his life.
Chandler is survived by two daughters, nine grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, and five great-great-grandchildren. Military historian J. Michael Wenger estimates that approximately 87,000 military personnel were stationed on Oahu at the time of the attack. Currently, only 15 Pearl Harbor survivors remain alive, according to a count maintained by Kathleen Farley, chair of the California chapter of the Sons and Daughters of Pearl Harbor Survivors.
This month also saw the passing of two other notable veterans: Bob Fernandez, who served on the USS Curtiss, at 100 years old, and Warren Upton, a 105-year-old veteran of the USS Utah.
As we remember individuals like Harry Chandler, their stories and sacrifices remind us of the profound impacts of history and the importance of honoring those who served.
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