One of only a few surviving witnesses of the Pearl Harbor attack of 1941, World War II Navy veteran Ira “Ike” Schab has died peacefully at age 105 years old, with a roomful of relatives surrounding him and swing music playing in the background on December 20, 2025.
The Fateful Morning at Pearl Harbor
On December 7, 1941, Schab prepared for a visit from his brother. He had just showered and changed clothes when alarms sounded. He rushed topside and saw Japanese planes bombing the harbor.
The USS Utah capsized before his eyes. Startled, he grabbed ammunition boxes and helped feed shells into an anti-aircraft gun. His ship lost three sailors that day. However Schab survived the chaos.
Wartime Service Across the Pacific
After Pearl Harbor, Schab continued his Navy duties. He served in the New Hebrides, now called Vanuatu. He moved to the Mariana Islands and then Okinawa. These assignments kept him in the thick of Pacific battles. Moreover they built his resilience during World War II.
Post-War Pursuits and Family Life
The war ended, and Schab pursued education. He studied aerospace engineering and landed a job at General Dynamics. There, he contributed to the Apollo program that sent astronauts to the moon.
In personal life, he raised a son, Karl, who became a Navy commander, and a daughter, Kimberlee Heinrichs. He settled in Beaverton, Oregon, for a quiet existence.
Sharing Memories in Later Years
For decades, Schab stayed silent about Pearl Harbor. But as survivors dwindled, he attended annual ceremonies in Honolulu. In 2023, he strengthened his body to stand and salute the fallen. “To pay honor to the guys that didn’t make it,” he said. Additionally he urged others to remember the heroes. Health issues kept him from the 2024 event.
Final Days and Lasting Influence
Schab passed away at his home on December 20, 2025. He had lived for 105 years and is one of about a dozen Pearl Harbor survivors. His is an inspiring life story that generations can draw lessons from.
It is one that promotes bravery and a sense of responsibility. Also one that tells us the importance of living lessons that history has taught us.
