Ira “Ike” Schab, a 105-year-old survivor of the 1941 Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor, died early Saturday at his home in Beaverton, Oregon. The 105-year-old was surrounded by his daughter Kimberlee Heinrichs and her husband when he passed away. His death brings the number of living witnesses to the surprise attack down to about a dozen, a stark reminder of the passage of time after the event that killed just over 2,400 U.S. personnel and pushed the United States into World War II.
Born on Independence Day, July 4, 1920, in Chicago, the eldest of three brothers. In February 1940, he joined the Navy at 18, following his father’s example, and was assigned to the USS Dobbin. The ship was stationed at Pearl Harbor when the attack unfolded. Schab, a tuba player in the Dobbin’s band, had just showered and worn a clean uniform when a call for fire rescue sounded, setting the stage for a day that would change his life forever.
On the morning of December 7, 1941, Japanese planes descended on the naval base, and the USS Utah capsized in the harbor. Schab saw the ship roll and heard the roar of aircraft overhead. He recalled in 2023, “We were pretty startled. Startled and scared to death.” The sudden chaos forced him to act quickly: he rushed below deck, grabbed ammunition boxes, and joined a daisy chain of sailors feeding shells to an anti-aircraft gun above. The ship’s anti-aircraft crew suffered heavy losses, with three sailors killed or later dying from fragment wounds.
During the attack, the Dobbin lost three sailors, all manning the same anti-aircraft gun. One was killed in action, while the other two succumbed to fragment wounds from a bomb that struck the stern. Schab’s quick response and the crew’s bravery helped keep the ship operational amid the devastation. The incident underscored the vulnerability of the fleet and the urgent need for vigilance, lessons that would shape naval procedures in the months that followed.
After the attack, Schab spent the rest of the war with the Navy in the Pacific theater. He served in the New Hebrides-now Vanuatu-before moving to the Mariana Islands and later Okinawa, Japan. These deployments exposed him to some of the most intense naval operations of the war, and he earned a reputation for steadfastness and technical skill in the face of constant threat. His experience aboard the Dobbin and in the broader Pacific campaign forged a deep commitment to his fellow servicemen.
Following the war, Schab pursued studies in aerospace engineering, a field that was rapidly expanding with the advent of space exploration. He became an electrical engineer for General Dynamics, where he contributed to the Apollo spaceflight program that ultimately sent astronauts to the moon. His work helped ensure the reliability of critical systems on the spacecraft, bridging his naval discipline with cutting-edge technology and illustrating the diverse paths veterans could take after service.
Schab’s dedication to service continued in his family. His son followed in his footsteps, joining the Navy and eventually retiring as a commander. The family’s shared commitment to the armed forces became a cornerstone of their identity, with each generation honoring the sacrifices of the previous one. The presence of his daughter Kimberlee at his passing reflects the close bond that endured across decades.
In the years that followed, as the number of Pearl Harbor survivors dwindled, Schab made a point of traveling from his home in Beaverton to the annual observance at the Hawaii military base. In 2023, he told reporters, “To pay honor to the guys that didn’t make it,” before standing and saluting in front of a crowd of veterans and visitors. For the 2022 ceremony, he urged people to honor those who served at Pearl Harbor, adding, “Remember what they’re here for. Remember and honor those that are left. They did a hell of a job,” and noted, “Those who are still here, dead or alive.” He spent weeks building strength to stand for that year’s event, demonstrating his enduring commitment to remembrance.
Schab was unable to attend this year’s commemoration and, less than three weeks later, passed away. Daughter Kimberlee Heinrichs told the Associated Press that he died at home early Saturday in the presence of her and her husband. His death marked the loss of one of the last living links to the 1941 attack, a moment that continues to resonate with those who remember the event.
With Schab’s death, only about a dozen survivors of the surprise attack remain, underscoring the urgency of preserving their stories. The attack, which killed just over 2,400 troops, propelled the United States into World War II and left a legacy of sacrifice and resilience. Schab’s life-spanning wartime service, contributions to the Apollo program, and a lifelong dedication to honoring veterans-serves as a testament to the enduring spirit of those who served.
- 105-year-old Pearl Harbor survivor Ira Schab dies in Oregon.
- Schab served in WWII, worked on Apollo missions, and honored fellow veterans.
- Only a dozen survivors of the 1941 attack remain.
Schab’s journey from a Chicago boy to a wartime sailor, space program engineer, and devoted advocate for remembrance illustrates the profound impact one individual can have on history. His legacy of courage, service, and gratitude will continue to inspire future generations long after the last survivor’s passing.
