Bob Fernandez, who survived the harrowing attack on Pearl Harbor at the age of 17, passed away at the age of 100. His death came shortly after health issues prevented him from attending the 83rd commemoration ceremony in Hawaii. A lifelong Navy man and a generous soul, Fernandez continued to serve his community by helping others even into his later years.
BY PC Bureau
Bob Fernandez, a 100-year-old survivor of the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor, has passed away shortly after deteriorating health forced him to miss the 83rd anniversary commemoration of the attack in Hawaii.
Fernandez died peacefully at the home of his nephew, Joe Guthrie, in Lodi, California, on Wednesday, with Guthrie’s daughter, Halie Torrrell, holding his hand when he passed away, The Guardian reported. Fernandez had suffered a stroke a month earlier, which contributed to his declining health. However, his nephew said that doctors attributed his condition to the natural effects of aging.
Fernandez was only 17 when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Serving as a mess cook on board the USS Curtiss, he was delivering food and coffee to his fellow sailors when the alarm rang, signaling the attack. Looking through a porthole, Fernandez saw a Japanese plane fly by with the distinctive red ball insignia. He rushed down to a lower deck, joining other sailors in trying to arm the ship’s guns, waiting for someone to unlock a door to the magazine room where they stored shells. In interviews over the years, Fernandez described the fear he felt during those moments, saying some sailors were praying and crying as they heard gunfire above.
“I felt kind of scared because I didn’t know what the hell was going on,” Fernandez recalled in an interview with the Associated Press shortly before his death.
The attack killed over 2,300 U.S. servicemen, with 1,177 sailors and Marines dying on the USS Arizona, which sank during the attack. Fernandez’s ship lost 21 men, and nearly 60 of its sailors were injured. “We lost a lot of good people, you know. They didn’t do nothing,” Fernandez said. “But we never know what’s going to happen in a war.”
In the years that followed, Fernandez lived a quiet life, working as a forklift driver at a cannery in San Leandro, California. He was known for his pride in his service, and his Navy days remained a core part of his identity. His nephew said Fernandez was so proud of his six years on the USS Curtiss that much of his casual wardrobe, including hats and shirts, reflected his service.
Fernandez had planned to attend the Pearl Harbor remembrance ceremony last week but was too weak to make the trip. Despite his declining health, Fernandez continued to stay active by attending music performances at a local park and a nearby restaurant, and he helped neighbors with yard work until he moved in with Guthrie last year. His nephew fondly recalled their time working together, calling it “physical therapy” for Fernandez.
“Sometimes, I’d do yard work, and he’d swing the axe a little bit,” Guthrie said.
Fernandez’s advice for living a long life was simple yet profound: stop eating once full, march up stairs, and stay active. He also emphasized the importance of kindness, encouraging others to be generous and helpful to those in need. His nephew remembered Fernandez for his generosity, recounting how he would help neighbors rake their yards, paint fences, and even give money to those who needed it.
Fernandez is survived by his oldest son, Robert J. Fernandez, as well as a granddaughter and several great-grandchildren.
With his passing, only 16 survivors of the Pearl Harbor attack remain, all of whom are at least 100 years old. The California state chair of the Sons and Daughters of Pearl Harbor Survivors, Kathleen Farley, noted that while Fernandez’s death would have reduced the number to 15, she recently learned of another survivor, keeping the number steady at 16.
