Frank W. Tomberlin, Pearl Harbor Survivor Dies at age 92

The world lost another piece of history when Frank W. Tomberlin, a Pearl Harbor survivor passed away at 92 years of age, his wife, Louise of 66 years was at his side. 

Mr. Tomberlin joined the Navy in 1940 and was stationed in Pearl Harbor on the destroyer USS Henley when the Japanese attacked. He continued to serve on the Henley until October 3, 1943, when it was torpedoed and sunk off the coast of New Guinea. Mr. Tomberlin finished his service on the USS Lyman K. Swenson until he was discharged after the end of the war in the Pacific.

On April 17, 2013, the Lassen County Board of Supervisors passed a proclamation honoring the last of the Lassen County Pearl Harbor survivors, Frank W. Tomberlin and Richard "Pappy" Dallimore. Pappy Dallimore is now Lassen County's sole survivor.

Mr. Tomberlin enjoyed spending time with his children and 20 grand-children. He was an avid 49'ers fan and loved animals.

The family requested in lieu of flowers at the memorial service, they would like everyone to, "Please tell a Veteran, Thank you for your service." I ask my readers to thank a Veteran in honor of Frank W. Tomberlin, Pearl Harbor Survivor.

Remember.... Their Sacrifice. Our Freedom.

Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day

As a school child I remember coming home and asking my Mother where she was on December 7, 1941. She wasn't born until 1944, so gave me one of her I-am-not-that-old looks before she told me of a family vacation. When she was 13 years old her father took her family on an ocean cruise to Hawaii.


As the teenagers gravitated towards one another she and her two sisters became friends with a boy. (I do not remember his name.)  My Mother's family accompanied the boy and his family to the Pearl Harbor Memorial. It was while they stood over the USS Arizona, the boy looked at my Mother in a way she would never forget and said, "My grandfather is still down there. I wish I could have met him."


In total there were 2,117 Sailors and Marines killed in action or who died of their wounds, while 779 were wounded.  A sum of 215 Soldiers were killed in action or died of their wounds, with 360 wounded. 


Ultimately 15 Medals of Honor, 51 Navy Crosses, 53 Silver Crosses, 4 Navy and Marine Corps Medals, 1 Distinguished Flying Cross, 4 Distinguished Service Crosses, 1 Distinguished Service Medal, and 3 Bronze Stars were awarded to American servicemen who fought at Pearl Harbor. It should be noted that not all of those who fought were trained to fight. An African-American cook by the name of Dorie Miller who served aboard the West Virginia took over an unattended anti-aircraft gun on which he held no training. His actions made him the first African-American to be awarded the Navy Cross. 


Hero's are survivors of circumstance. Each and every man and woman who resided at Pearl Harbor on this tragic day are Hero's. Some Hero's survive to tell their stories. Other Hero's remain only in our hearts and memories. Honor the sacrifices of the fallen and their loved ones by lowering your Flag to half-mast. Find an event near you Honoring those who fought at Pearl Harbor. Shake a survivor's hand. 

John William Finn, Oldest Medal Of Honor Recipient, Dies at 100

John William Finn was stationed on Naval Air Station Kaneohe Bay on the island of Oahu, Hawaii on December 7th, 1941. After the Japanese attack began he manned a .50 Caliber machine gun in an open position to take careful aim at the Japanese attack planes.  He received 21 distinct wounds during two hours of manning his position.

"I got that gun and I started shooting at Jap planes," Finn said in a 2009 interview. "I was out there shooting the Jap planes and just every so often I was a target for some," he said, "in some cases, I could see [the Japanese pilots'] faces."

 Collier, Peter (2006). Medal of Honor: Portraits of Valor Beyond the Call of Duty 

 After receiving medical care he went back to work arming the remaining American planes. I would say this is a True American, but according to his own words from Collier,

"That damned hero stuff is a bunch crap, I guess. [...] You gotta understand that there's all kinds of heroes, but they never get a chance to be in a hero's position."

 Here is his Medal Of Honor Citation

FINN, JOHN WILLIAM

Rank and organization: Lieutenant, U.S. Navy. Place and date: Naval Air Station, Kaneohe Bay, Territory of Hawaii, 7 December 1941. Entered service at: California. Born: 23 July 1909, Los Angeles, Calif. Citation: For extraordinary heroism distinguished service, and devotion above and beyond the call of duty. During the first attack by Japanese airplanes on the Naval Air Station, Kaneohe Bay, on 7 December 1941, Lt. Finn promptly secured and manned a .50-caliber machinegun mounted on an instruction stand in a completely exposed section of the parking ramp, which was under heavy enemy machinegun strafing fire. Although painfully wounded many times, he continued to man this gun and to return the enemy's fire vigorously and with telling effect throughout the enemy strafing and bombing attacks and with complete disregard for his own personal safety. It was only by specific orders that he was persuaded to leave his post to seek medical attention. Following first aid treatment, although obviously suffering much pain and moving with great difficulty, he returned to the squadron area and actively supervised the rearming of returning planes. His extraordinary heroism and conduct in this action were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.

             http://www.history.army.mil/