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Harry Chandler, Third Pearl Harbor Survivor to Die Recently, Passes at 103; Only 15 Remain

Jan 1, 2025, 03:13 AM

Harry Chandler, a Navy medic who survived the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, has died at the age of 103. Chandler, who was stationed in Hawaii during the attack, spent the day assisting injured sailors. He passed away on Monday at a senior living center in Tequesta, Florida, due to congestive heart failure, though his advanced age was noted as a contributing factor. Chandler was the third survivor to die in recent weeks and one of the last survivors of the attack, with only 15 still living following his death. On the day of the attack, he was raising the flag at Aiea Heights when he first saw the Japanese planes. He then boarded a boat to help pluck wounded sailors from the water, which was covered in oil from exploding ships. Chandler had served as a hospital corpsman 3rd class during the attack and later worked as a painter, wallpaper hanger, and owned an upholstery business with his brother. After the war, Chandler joined the Navy reserves and retired as a senior chief in 1981. Born in Holyoke, Massachusetts, he lived most of his adult life in South Hadley and split his time between Massachusetts and Florida in recent years. He visited Pearl Harbor in 2023 for the 82nd anniversary of the attack. An avid golfer, Chandler achieved five hole-in-ones during his lifetime. He had one biological daughter and adopted two daughters from his second marriage. There were approximately 87,000 military personnel on the island of Oahu during the attack. Other recent Pearl Harbor survivor deaths include Bob Fernandez at age 100 and Warren Upton at age 105. Chandler is survived by one daughter, nine grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, and five great-great-grandchildren.