USS Arizona survivor rejoins shipmates, interred aboard ship
By JENNIFER McDERMOTT Associated Press
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — A veteran who survived the attack on Pearl Harbor and died last year at age 94 has been reunited with his fallen shipmates on the sunken USS Arizona.
Raymond Haerry was interred on the ship in a ceremony that his granddaughter says was solemn and beautiful.
Haerry was 19 years old when bombs started falling on his battleship on Dec. 7, 1941. He never returned to Pearl Harbor while he lived because the memories were too painful. As he neared the end of his life, he told his family he'd like to be laid to rest there.
Haerry died Sept. 27 in Rhode Island. Five Arizona survivors remain.
Haerry's granddaughter, Jessica Marino, traveled from New Jersey to Hawaii with her family for Saturday's ceremony. She handed his urn to divers, who placed it within the ship's sunken hull. Hundreds of sailors and Marines are entombed there.
"That was the point at which I kind of lost it," Marino said. "It was really sad, but also really sweet to see. It was amazing."
Only USS Arizona survivors can be interred on the ship. Haerry served for 25 years in the Navy, retiring as a master chief.
He's the 42nd survivor to rejoin his shipmates, according to the National Park Service.
Spokesman Jay Blount said these ceremonies help bring closure to the families, allow sailors to return to their shipmates and raise awareness of the sacrifices made 75 years ago. The National Park Service and the Navy conducted the interment.
Rear Adm. John Fuller talked about Haerry's courage— not the absence of fear, but a deep abiding belief in something greater than oneself.
"I can't help but think about him being reunited into these simple, hallowed spaces. The calm that comes from being again with your crew, and the lessons we can learn from all he taught us," said Fuller, commander of Navy Region Hawaii and Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific.
Marino said she knows her grandfather better now.
"I know this part of his life that really did shape him," she said. "To be a part of getting him back to his ship and with his shipmates, it's an honor for me."
Health issues prevented Raymond Haerry Jr. from joining his daughter in Hawaii. It was Haerry Jr. who pieced together the narrative of what happened in Pearl Harbor by asking questions of his father over 50 years.
Haerry was trying to get ammunition when a large bomb detonated, igniting fuel and powder magazines, Haerry Jr. told The Associated Press in October. Most of the bow was instantly separated and the ship was lifted out of the water.
Haerry Jr. said his father swam through flaming waters, sweeping his arms in front of him to push the flames away. He shot at Japanese planes from shore. Later, he helped retrieve corpses from the harbor.
The ship lost 1,177 men, nearly four-fifths of its crew. At first, Haerry's family was surprised by his request to be laid to rest there, but soon they understood.
"That brotherhood doesn't go away and as he got closer to the end of life, it resonated with him," Marino said. "He didn't want to see the site or relive that disaster, but he wanted to relive that camaraderie."
Several weeks ago, I submitted my DNA to Ancestry.com. Well today I got an email saying the results were in. Cool stuff. Among the data, they also showed me dozen of people I could be related to, who had also taken the test. Well I contacted about 10 of them, and then hoped for the best. So imagine my surprise when I received an answer from one of them, within two hours.
I AM IN TEARS right now, but they are happy tears!
This is edited for privacy, but here is the letter I just got. Praise be!
Hi Marion, Your father Walter was my maternal Grandfather's (Joe Finkowski) cousin. My Great-Grandmother (Angeline Poniedzialek married Francis Finkowski) Angeline's Brother Albert was Walter's father (your Grandfather) I talked to my Mom who gave me this information. She would love to be in contact with you as she remembers Walter& Joe being very close....
This is an answer to my prayers. I'm still in shock!!!! She wrote back again and put me in touch with her mother. I just sent an email to her, so waiting... And to top all this off, we live about two and half hours from each other. Dad, I know you are smiling down!!!!
I'm Matthieu, 25, and it's a big big pleasure I join this forum. I was born in a city of 40 000 lives, Gap, in south Alps mountain, liberated in august 20, 1944 by elements of second battalion of 143rd inf regiment, 36th Div Texas, 117th Cavalry reconaissance Squadron, and 93rd Armored Field artillery Battalion. I'm living now in a small town of 7000 people, named Sisteron, 45km at the bottom of Gap, liberated by the sames units.
I collect since 10 years the US items about the units who liberated my city and the southern France (3rd, 36th and 45th infantry division, 117th cav reco sqd, 93rd AFA, 2nd, 3rd and 83rd chemical mortar battalion, Engineers combat units, etc..
With this first post, I wanna say a big big thank you to all the ww2 veterans who gives theirs life to liberate my city, and in general my country, la France, and the Europe. God bless the greatest generation.
I can assure you, we never forget their sacrifice here.
Wishing healing thoughts for Capt John Fallon, a very good friend and mentor, and member of the 36th Engineers. John is going through a rough time, and it looks as though he may wind up in a nursing facility. Oh how that saddens my heart.
Sir Ridley Scott is attached to direct a film about the Battle of Britain.
The 79-year-old British filmmaker - who is renowned for his work on sci-fi films, 'Blade Runner, 'Prometheus' and 'Alien' - has reportedly teamed up with 20th Century Fox to helm the World War II movie which is based on the historical battle.
According to Deadline, Scott will work closely with its screenwriter Matthew Orton, who penned WWII drama 'Operational Finale' starring Oscar Isaac, on the project.
It is not yet known what direction the script will take but the Battle of Britain is centered from 10 July until 31 October 1940 when the British Royal Air Force (RAF) successfully defended the UK from the invading German Air Force (Luftwaffe) as the Nazis tried to cripple and the conquer the country with a bombing campaign known as the Blitz.
The film rights were purchased by Fox last year and Scott Free is down to produce alongside Joby Harold, Tory Tunnell, with Steven Asbell on board for Fox.
Steven Spielberg's 'Bridge of Spies' writer, Matt Charman, will executive produce the film. He has worked with Orton on 'Guiding Lights' back in 2015.
Meanwhile, Orton is currently writing political thriller 'Reason of State', with Scott in charge of Sony's 'All The Money In The World' - a drama about the kidnapping of John Paul Getty III. In addition to 'The Cartel' and his next movie to hit cinema screens is 'Alien: Covenant' which is released on May 19 followed by its sequel scheduled for 2018.
Scott - who is married to Costa Rican actress-and-producer Giannina Facio - also worked as a producer on 'Blade Runner 2049', the Denis Villeneuve-directed sequel to his 1982 cult classic.
