Harry Chandler, 103, Navy Medic and Pearl Harbor Survivor, Passes Away

HONOLULU—Harry Chandler, a Navy medic renowned for rescuing injured sailors from the polluted waters of Pearl Harbor after the Japanese assault in 1941, has passed away at the age of 103.

Chandler died on Monday at a senior living facility in Tequesta, Florida, as reported by Ron Mahaffee, the husband of his granddaughter, Kelli Fahey. Although he suffered from congestive heart failure, Mahaffee noted that the medical staff commented on Chandler’s advanced age when determining the cause of death.

Chandler was the third Pearl Harbor survivor to pass away in recent weeks. On December 7, 1941, he served as a hospital corpsman 3rd class when waves of Japanese fighter planes bombed U.S. battleships in the harbor, thrusting the nation into World War II.

In an interview with The Associated Press in 2023, Chandler recounted witnessing the planes approach while hoisting the flag at a mobile hospital in Aiea Heights, overlooking the base.

“I thought they were aircraft arriving from the mainland until I saw the bombs falling,” Chandler reflected. His immediate reaction was to find shelter and ”get the hell out of here.”

“I was terrified they’d begin strafing,” he added.

His unit traveled by truck to assist the injured. In a Pacific Historic Parks oral history session, Chandler mentioned boarding a boat to rescue wounded sailors from the water.

The harbor was slick with oil from the blasted ships, and after pulling sailors from the water, he cleaned them off. He recalled being too engrossed in his duties to feel afraid.

“It got so busy that you weren’t scared. Not scared at all. We were busy. It was only afterward you felt scared,” Chandler explained.

He later acknowledged that he could have lost his life that day, “But you didn’t dwell on that while you were focused on caring for others.”

The attack resulted in the deaths of over 2,300 U.S. servicemen, including nearly half, or 1,177, who were sailors and Marines aboard the USS Arizona, which sank just nine minutes after being bombed.

Chandler’s memories were vividly rekindled when he attended a 2023 ceremony marking the 82nd anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor.

“I look out there and can still visualize everything that occurred. I can still perceive the events that unfolded,” he told The Associated Press.

When asked what he hoped Americans would take away from Pearl Harbor, he said: “Be prepared.”

“We should have anticipated that an attack could occur. Intelligence must improve,” he expressed.

Following the war, Chandler worked as a painter and wallpaper installer, eventually partnering with his brother to run an upholstery business. He later joined the Navy reserves, retiring as a senior chief in 1981.

BORN in Holyoke, Massachusetts, Chandler spent most of his adult years in nearby South Hadley, according to Mahaffee. In recent years, he divided his time between Massachusetts and Florida.

An enthusiastic golfer, he achieved five hole-in-ones throughout his life, as noted by his grandson-in-law.

Chandler is survived by one biological daughter and two adopted daughters from his second marriage to Anna Chandler, who passed away in 2004. He leaves behind two daughters, nine grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, and five great-great-grandchildren.

Military historian J. Michael Wenger estimated that approximately 87,000 military personnel were stationed on Oahu during the attack. With Chandler’s passing, only 15 Pearl Harbor survivors remain, according to a count kept by Kathleen Farley, California state chair of the Sons and Daughters of Pearl Harbor Survivors.

This month also saw the passing of Bob Fernandez, a USS Curtiss veteran, age 100, and Warren Upton, age 105, who served on the USS Utah, who died last week.

By Audrey McAvoy