A Pearl Harbor Survivor, Ira “Ike” Schab, Passes Away at 105
Ira “Ike” Schab, a World War II Navy veteran and one of the few remaining survivors of the Pearl Harbor attack, has died at the age of 105. Schab’s daughter, Kimberlee Heinrichs, confirmed that he passed away peacefully at his home early Saturday.
Schab was a 21-year-old sailor when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor in 1941. For many years, he rarely talked about what happened that day. However, as the number of Pearl Harbor survivors decreased, he felt it was important to attend the annual Pearl Harbor remembrance ceremony in Hawaii.
“To pay honor to the guys that didn’t make it,” Schab said in 2023, explaining why he made the journey each year.
Last year, Schab worked hard to build up his strength so he could stand and salute during the ceremony. Unfortunately, he wasn’t well enough to attend this year’s event. He passed away less than three weeks later.
Born on Independence Day in 1920, Schab followed in his father’s footsteps by joining the Navy at 18.
On December 7, 1941, Schab was preparing for a visit from his brother when the attack began. He heard a call for fire rescue and went to investigate. He saw Japanese planes and the USS Utah capsizing.
“We were pretty startled. Startled and scared to death,” Schab said in 2023. He helped his fellow sailors by carrying ammunition to an anti-aircraft gun.
Schab’s ship lost three sailors during the attack. He served in the Pacific throughout the war, including time in the New Hebrides, Mariana Islands, and Okinawa, Japan.
After the war, Schab became an aerospace engineer and worked on the Apollo spaceflight program, contributing to the effort to put Americans on the moon. His son also served in the Navy and retired as a commander.
At a 2022 ceremony, Schab encouraged people to remember the sacrifices made by those who served at Pearl Harbor.
“Remember what they’re here for. Remember and honor those that are left. They did a hell of a job,” he said. “Those who are still here, dead or alive.”
