One of the last living survivors of the 1941 Pearl Harbor attacks has died at the age of 102.
Richard C. Higgins died Tuesday at his home in Bend, Oregon, of natural causes, according to his granddaughter Angela Norton.
Higgins was born on a farm near Mangum, Oklahoma on July 24, 1921 and joined the Navy in 1939.
He was a radioman stationed at Pearl Harbor and was assigned to a seaplane patrol squadron based at Naval Base Hawaii on the morning of the December 7 Japanese attacks.
The airstrike killed more than 2,400 Americans and prompted the United States to declare war on Japan. Currently, only 22 survivors of the attack are still alive.
Richard C. Higgins died Tuesday at his home in Bend, Oregon, of natural causes, according to his granddaughter Angela Norton.
Higgins was a radioman stationed at Pearl Harbor and was assigned to a seaplane patrol squadron based at Naval Station Hawaii on the morning of the December 7 Japanese attacks.
The airstrike killed more than 2,400 Americans and prompted the United States to declare war on Japan. So far, only 22 survivors of the attack are still alive.
On an Instagram account called @quarantine_chats_with_gramps, Higgins recalled how he kept planes away from each other as bombs fell around him during the attack.
Higgins was born on a farm near Mangum, Oklahoma on July 24, 1921 and joined the Navy in 1939.
Higgins frequently recounted his experience as a veteran during the Pearl Harbor attacks later in his life.
In an Instagram video uploaded in May 2020, Higgins described December 7 from his perspective.
On an account called @quarantine_chats_with_gramps, Higgins recalled how he kept planes away from each other as bombs fell around him during the attack.
“I kept the planes away from the ones that were on fire, because when the tanks exploded, they threw burning gas at the others,” he explained.
Higgins recalled that historic day in an oral history interview published in 2008. He remembers being awakened by explosions and then rushing to the porch of his quarters.
Higgins frequently recounted his experience as a veteran during the Pearl Harbor attacks later in his life.
The veteran had celebrated his 102nd birthday on July 24, 2023, alongside community members who came to visit Higgins, who wore a festive “102nd birthday” crown, bringing balloons and American flags.
“I jumped out of my bunk and ran to the edge of the veranda and just as I got there a plane flew over the barracks,” he recalled.
The plane had “big red meatballs on it,” he said, referring to Japan’s rising sun flag, “so there was no doubt what was going on in my mind.”
Higgins has become a superhero in his Oregon neighborhood and was recently honored at the 82nd anniversary of Pearl Harbor by Bend High School.
At the December 7, 2023 service, Higgins was greeted with standing ovations, tears and gratitude as the community showed up to show their love and support.
Higgins became a hero in his Oregon neighborhood and was recently honored on the 82nd anniversary of Pearl Harbor by Bend High School.
Higgins’ wife, Winnie Ruth, died in 2004 at the age of 82 after 60 years of marriage.
Higgins described himself as a “102-year-old Pearl Harbor survivor, husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather” and said he “shared my stories before I forgot them.”
The veteran had celebrated his 102nd birthday on July 24, 2023, alongside community members who came to visit Higgins, who wore a festive “102nd birthday” crown, bringing balloons and American flags.
A parade of vintage cars and motorcycles traveled down Higgins’ street to honor the birthday boy and he even had a visit from Oregon police officers who came to pay their respects.
Higgins described himself as a “102-year-old Pearl Harbor survivor, husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather” and said he “shared my stories before I forgot them.”
Higgins’ wife, Winnie Ruth, died in 2004 at the age of 82 after 60 years of marriage.
After going to the hospice last Thursday, he told his granddaughter, “I’m ready to go see Winnie Ruth.”