Medal Winner Recalls Attack at Pearl Harbor

Fifty-four years ago, Chief Petty Officer John Finn kept firing his machine gun at attacking Japanese planes despite numerous wounds.

On Thursday, the 86-year-old Medal of Honor winner returned to Pearl Harbor with military officials, other veterans and their families to commemorate the surprise attack that drew the United States into World War II.

“I heard a horrible roar astern of me,” the retired Navy man said. “[A Japanese plane] made a wingover down towards the hangars where I was headed. I said, ‘Hey, this is the real thing.’ ”

Under rainy skies, the Navy held a ceremony aboard the Arizona Memorial that drew about 100 people. About 300 gathered at the Arizona Memorial Visitors Center, where Finn recounted his experiences at the Naval Air Station at Kaneohe Bay. Other commemorations were held around the country.

At 7:55 a.m., the moment the attack began, a minute of silence was observed throughout the sprawling Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard, after a long blast from the destroyer Paul Hamilton.

After the moment of silence, the American flag was raised above the battleship Arizona as four Hawaii National Guard F-15 Eagle jet fighters swept over the harbor.

Archbishop Eiki Ikeda of the World Federation Japan Religion 21st Century Committee delivered a prayer at the visitors center.

“As we bid farewell to the 20th century, a century in which we have plundered and killed each other, let us greet the 21st century in which we will live together, sharing the feelings of joy and sadness,” he said through an interpreter.

The attack killed 2,403 people.