Raymond Haerry, who was one of the few survivors of the USS Arizona left with us, passed on September 27th, according to the Washington Post;
After the first explosions rocked the USS Arizona, Raymond Haerry sprinted to one of the ship’s antiaircraft guns, hoping to somehow repel the aerial bombardment.
But the weapon wouldn’t fire. The gun’s ammunition was in storage.
Haerry raced toward the ammunition depot. An explosion reached it first, igniting gunpowder and fuel, according to a U.S. Navy interview featuring Haerry and his son. The explosion cracked the ship in two and lifted the bow into the air.
Haerry went with it, falling into oily Pearl Harbor waters that had been lit on fire. He somehow made it to shore, sweeping his arms in front of him as he swam to push the flames away.
He spent the next few days pulling his shipmates from the water. According to the Post, only five Arizona survivors remain. From the Arizona Republic, they are;
Lauren Bruner, 95, of La Mirada, Calif.
Lou Conter, 95, of Grass Valley, Calif.
Lonnie Cook, 95, of Morris, Okla.
Ken Potts, 95, of Provo, Utah.
Donald Stratton, 94, of Colorado Springs, Colo.
Haerry had served on the aircraft carrier, USS Ranger until he volunteered for the Arizona in September 1941 at Pearl.
After Pearl Harbor, Raymond went on to serve 24 years total in the Navy retiring as a master chief petty officer in 1964.
Thanks to Chief Tango for the link.
Comments
20 responses to “Raymond Haerry passes”
Fair winds and following seas, Master Chief.
Came here to say this. Thanks, Ex.
Ditto
Rest in peace Master Chief Haerry. God be with your family.
Day is done.
Another hero – who probably never thought of himself as a hero – sails into the sunset.
Peace upon his family.
Rest in peace Master Chief.
Rest in peace Master Chief; You are finally in safe harbor.
Wow! I would say that after what happened to him on 7 December 1941, every single day after was gravy.
I wonder if he will be interred on the ship. Many Arizona crew have done that.
The legend is that once the last crewmember “reports their return to the ship,” the “tears” of oil that leak from her will stop.
Sailor, rest your oar.
Rest In Peace valiant Warrior, and enjoy your place in Valhalla.
Rest Well Chief….
Godspeed Master Chief. You make Sailors everywhere proud.
Godspeed, Rest In Peace, and Fair Winds and Following Seas to a true World War II hero.
You earned that and more, Master Chief.
Rest in peace, Master Chief Raymond Haerry…
“…Rather we should thank God that such men lived”
RIP Master Chief.
This is correct…thank you OC.
What OC said
In only a very short time, all hands will be present and accounted for.
HooYah Master Chief!
I would have loved to have been in this warrior’s goat locker. Imagine the stories. What a man …