“This remembrance ceremony has an extended historical past of being held within the State Capitol and that is our first time again right here for this occasion for the reason that COVID-19 pandemic,” opened Stamatopoulos. “One of many greatest modifications you possibly can’t assist however discover is the small variety of seats these Pennsylvanians who survived the assault on Pearl Harbor are actually occupying. We’re honored to have Richard Shimmel with us at present. Please be a part of me in a second of applause to indicate our gratitude for his service.”
Richard Schimmel is an Allentown native and entered the Army in 1940 and was assigned to the 580th Sign Plane Warning Service on Oahu, Hawaii. The fifth of eight kids of an encyclopedia salesman, he preferred to examine far-flung locations, which led to a dialog with an Army recruiter.
Schimmel arrived on Oahu on the finish of the yr and skilled at Schofield Barracks. He labored as a plotter and switchboard operator at an data middle at Fort Shafter, simply east of Pearl Harbor, speaking with Oahu’s 5 newly constructed cellular radar stations. He additionally helped set up the cellular radar stations that may convey within the data.
The 19-year-old non-public first-class and his Army associates discovered the ropes of radar over the subsequent few months, however as a result of leaders have been apprehensive they might put on the tools out, they have been solely allowed to make use of it just a few hours a day. Nobody was scheduled to be working on the Opana Radar Station in northeast Oahu the morning of Dec. 7, 1941, however by happenstance, two technicians have been.
He was the fifth particular person to know in regards to the report of the airplanes coming. From his vantage level, he may see all of Pearl Harbor. Initially, his group thought the planes have been on maneuvers, dropping smoke bombs. However when anyone turned on a radio, to the one station in Honolulu, they heard that this was no maneuver. Pearl Harbor was below assault.
Just a few months after the assault, Schimmel helped arrange a radar data middle on Maui and several other different Pacific islands. Later, he endured six months on the island Kanton, 1,900 miles southwest of Hawaii, the place he survived three bombings by the Japanese. He rose to the rank of workers sergeant and racked up 56 months abroad earlier than the battle resulted in 1945. Schimmel left the Army quickly after. He’s lived in West Allentown, Pennsylvania, since 1973.
The assault on Pearl Harbor showcased the resiliency and dedication of the American folks and our Navy. Fifteen Sailors have been awarded the Medal of Honor for his or her actions that day. American technological talent raised and repaired 13 ships following the assault. Every of these ships rising to combat once more. On October 2, 1942, Naval Provide Depot Pearl Harbor, the predecessor to NAVSUP’s Fleet Logistics Middle there at present, was born and its worth grew to become instantly obvious because it equipped our Allies each want. These days have been Naval Provide Depot Pearl Harbor’s most interesting hour and Admiral Nimitz would later check with it as “the key weapon of the Pacific.”
Whereas the background of the assault and occasions following are worthy of examine by all, the ceremony is about persevering with to recollect those that gave their lives that day and people who, with none warning, grew to become heroes that day. Because the ceremony is event to recollect, the nation can be persevering with to honor a dedication to some.
In the present day, the Protection Prisoner of Battle / Lacking in Motion Accounting Company continues to work diligently to establish the stays of these service members who’re listed on the Partitions of the Lacking on the Nationwide Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu.
The assault on the USS Oklahoma resulted within the deaths of 429 crewmen with solely 35 males recognized on the time. In the present day, the variety of these recognized stands at 396, with solely 33 unidentified.
A type of lately accounted for was Navy Radioman third Class Charles A. Montgomery from Folcroft, Pennsylvania. RM3 Montgomery was 21 years previous and within the radio room on the USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island on the morning of the assault. The ship would maintain a number of torpedo hits and rapidly capsize and RM3 Montgomery would perish.
RM3 Montgomery’s stays have been lastly recognized on March 3, 2021, and only a few weeks in the past on November 10 he was laid to relaxation in Delaware County, Pennsylvania.
“The current return of RM3 Montgomery to his household reminds us of precisely why we’re gathered right here at present and why we should always remember the sacrifices made that day,” Stamatopoulos concluded. “Could God bless our Pearl Harbor veterans and survivors, our World Battle II veterans and people who make up the ‘Best Technology’ and all those that comply with of their wake to defend our nation.”
NAVSUP is headquartered in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, and employs a various, worldwide workforce of greater than 25,000 army and civilian personnel. NAVSUP and the Navy Provide Corps conduct and allow provide chain, acquisition, operational logistics and Sailor & household care actions with our mission companions to generate readiness and maintain naval forces worldwide to stop and decisively win wars. Study extra at www.navsup.navy.mil, www.fb.com/navsup and https://twitter.com/navsupsyscom.
