Remember Pearl Harbor
LISTEN to this edition of Hometown Heroes
Episode #396 of Hometown Heroes marks the 74th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor by featuring the memories of three sailors from three different ships that were there on that fateful day.
The USS Pennsylvania after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
Russel Winsett on the day of our interview. He passed away in February 2015.
A 21-year-old from Alabama named Russel Winsett was on the battleship USS Pennsylvania, which was in dry dock. You’ll hear him remember how the attack unfolded from his perspective, and how he fired a way from his machine gun on the battleship’s foremast.
CLICK HERE to listen to the complete original interview with Russel Winsett.
Mr. Winsett shared his story with Hometown Heroes in late 2014 in Bonita Springs, FL.
He passed away in February 2015. You can read his obituary HERE.
The USS Detroit is the ship on the left in this photo. Two ships to the right, you can see the USS Utah turning over.
Sam Fryefield at home in Eugene, OR
Sam Fryefield was a few weeks shy of his 20th birthday aboard the light cruiser USS Detroit. You’ll hear the California native explain how he experienced the attack, what duties he had, and how close the Detroit came to taking a direct hit from a torpedo.
Fryefield is still going strong in Eugene, OR and will celebrate his 94th birthday just after Christmas.
CLICK HERE to listen to the complete original interview with Sam Fryefield.
The USS Oklahoma capsizing on December 7, 1941.
Richard “Swede” Artley and his older brother, Daryle, were both on the battleship USS Oklahoma at Pearl Harbor. You’ll hear Artley describe how he was trapped in the capsized hull of the Oklahoma for 34 hours before being rescued.
Richard “Swede” Artley on the day of our interview in Lewiston, ID. He passed away less than three weeks later.
The 19-year-old from Nebraska was very thankful to survive, but among the 429 lost on the Oklahoma that day were his brother Daryle and one of his best friends, Francis Dick.
Artley shared his story in Lewiston, ID in 2011, less than three weeks before concluding a brave battle with cancer.
CLICK HERE to listen to the complete original interview with Richard “Swede” Artley.
You can read Swede’s obituary HERE.
Thank you so much Paul for continuing to tell the stories the world needs to hear. You have captured history for us to be educated of. Just priceless are the Heroes stories for us to look up to & strive to emulate. Thank you!