Bob Fernandez, Pearl Harbor Survivor, Passes Away at 100

 

Bob Fernandez, a 100-year-old survivor of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, passed away on Wednesday at his nephew Joe Guthrie’s home in Lodi, California. His health had declined after a recent stroke, preventing him from attending the 83rd anniversary commemoration of the attack just days earlier. Fernandez died peacefully, holding the hand of his grandniece, Halie Torrell.

“It was his time,” said Guthrie, noting that doctors attributed Fernandez’s decline primarily to his age.

Fernandez was only 17 when he served as a sailor aboard the USS Curtiss during the infamous 7 December 1941 attack that thrust the United States into World War II. As a mess cook, Fernandez was delivering coffee and food to sailors when alarms sounded. Through a porthole, he glimpsed a Japanese plane adorned with the iconic red insignia.

Rushing below deck to a magazine room, he joined other sailors waiting to pass ammunition to the ship's guns. Amid the chaos, gunfire rattled above, and Fernandez later recalled his fear and confusion during the attack.

“We lost a lot of good people,” Fernandez said in an interview weeks before his death. “They didn’t do anything wrong. But in war, you never know what’s going to happen.”

The USS Curtiss suffered 21 fatalities and nearly 60 injuries during the bombing, which claimed over 2,300 American lives. Nearly half of those killed were aboard the USS Arizona, which sank in the battle.

After six years in the Navy, all aboard the USS Curtiss, Fernandez continued to honor his service throughout his life. His wardrobe often featured hats and shirts emblazoned with Navy emblems, reflecting the pride he carried for his time in the military.

Following the war, Fernandez worked as a forklift driver in a cannery in San Leandro, California. He shared a long and happy marriage with his wife, Mary Fernandez, who passed away in 2014 after 65 years together.

Fernandez’s later years were marked by a love of music and dance, attending weekly performances at local parks and restaurants. Until recently, he remained active, helping neighbors with yard work and even splitting firewood with Guthrie, whom he lived with since last year.

“He was generous and kind to everyone,” Guthrie said. “He’d rake yards, paint fences, or give money to people in need. He made friends everywhere.”

Fernandez credited his long life to simple habits: stopping eating once full, staying active by climbing stairs, and doing small chores before bedtime. He often emphasized the importance of kindness and bringing joy to others.

“He would want to be remembered for making people happy,” Guthrie shared.

Fernandez is survived by his son, Robert J. Fernandez, a granddaughter, and several great-grandchildren.

According to Kathleen Farley, chair of the Sons and Daughters of Pearl Harbor Survivors in California, there are 16 known survivors of the attack, all over 100 years old. Fernandez’s passing initially appeared to reduce that number to 15, but Farley recently identified another survivor, maintaining the count.

As one of the few remaining witnesses to a pivotal moment in history, Fernandez’s life serves as a testament to resilience, service, and the enduring spirit of those who lived through Pearl Harbor.