Key Takeaways
- Ira "Ike" Schab, a 105-year-old veteran of the US Navy, passed away on Saturday, leaving only about a dozen survivors of the 1941 Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor.
- Schab was a Navy musician aboard the USS Dobbin during the surprise attack and spent the morning helping to provide ammunition to anti-aircraft gunners.
- He spent the bulk of the war in the Pacific and later became an electrical engineer, working on the Apollo spaceflight program.
- Schab was dedicated to honoring the lives lost during the attack and attended the annual commemorations at Pearl Harbor until his health prevented him from doing so.
- He believed it was essential to pay tribute to those who did not survive the attack and encouraged others to do the same.
Introduction to Ira "Ike" Schab
Ira "Ike" Schab, one of the last surviving veterans of the 1941 Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor, passed away on Saturday at the age of 105. According to a statement from the USS Arizona Memorial, Schab died peacefully at his home in Oregon, surrounded by his family and listening to swing music. The memorial’s statement highlighted Schab’s dedication to honoring the lives lost during the attack and his commitment to attending the annual commemorations at Pearl Harbor. Schab’s death leaves only about a dozen survivors of the surprise attack that killed over 2,400 US troops and marked the country’s entry into the Second World War.
Schab’s Experience During the Attack
Schab, a native of Chicago, was a 21-year-old Navy musician aboard the USS Dobbin when the Japanese carried out their surprise attack on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. He spent that morning helping to provide ammunition to anti-aircraft gunners, a task that would prove crucial in the face of the unexpected attack. In a 2023 interview, Schab recounted the events of that day, stating, "We were pretty startled – startled and scared to death. We didn’t know what to expect. And we knew that if anything happened to us, that would be it." Navy records show that the Pearl Harbor attack killed three sailors who were manning an anti-aircraft gun on Schab’s ship, with one killed in action and two dying later of fragment wounds from a bomb that struck the Dobbin’s stern.
Schab’s War Service and Later Life
Schab spent the bulk of the war with the Navy in the Pacific, serving in locations such as New Hebrides, known today as Vanuatu; the Mariana Islands; and Okinawa, Japan. After the war, he went on to become an electrical engineer, working on the Apollo spaceflight program that sent US astronauts to the moon. His son later joined the Navy, retiring as a commander. Schab’s experiences during the war had a profound impact on his life, and he remained dedicated to honoring the lives lost during the attack. He attended the annual commemorations at Pearl Harbor, where he would pay tribute to those who did not survive.
Schab’s Later Years and Legacy
In his later years, Schab continued to attend the annual commemorations at Pearl Harbor, where he would share his experiences and encourage others to honor the lives lost during the attack. In 2022, he spoke at a Pearl Harbor observance, stating, "They did a hell of a job." He also attended the 83rd commemoration of the attack in 2024, but health issues prevented him from attending the 84th commemoration, and he instead watched the ceremony on a live stream. Schab’s dedication to honoring the lives lost during the attack served as a powerful reminder of the importance of remembering and paying tribute to those who have served. His legacy will live on through the stories he shared and the lives he touched, and his passing serves as a reminder of the dwindling number of surviving veterans of the Second World War.
Conclusion and Remembrance
Ira "Ike" Schab’s passing marks the end of an era, as the number of surviving veterans of the Second World War continues to dwindle. His dedication to honoring the lives lost during the attack on Pearl Harbor serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of remembering and paying tribute to those who have served. As the world continues to move forward, it is essential to look back and remember the sacrifices made by individuals like Schab, who risked their lives to serve their country. His legacy will live on through the stories he shared and the lives he touched, and his passing will be remembered as a significant loss for the community of surviving veterans and their families.
