DULUTH — Of the 87,000 personnel who were stationed at Oahu on Dec. 7, 1941, today there are only 12 remaining survivors across the U.S. Locally, around the Northland, there are none, according to Bob Woods, master of ceremonies at Sunday’s Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day at the Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center.
“The only sad part is that we no longer have any Pearl Harbor survivors or World War II survivors here today. Even run-ins with Korean War vets are becoming more rare,” Woods said. “It’s part of our history, so if you’ve got the chance in your life to speak with any of these gentlemen, no matter where they are, stop by and get their stories… As long as we speak these men’s name, they are still remembered and honored.”
A wreath floats on icy Lake Superior in the Duluth shipping canal in commemoration of those lost in the Pearl Harbor attacks.
Teri Cadeau / Duluth Media Group
Northern News Now Meteorologist and U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary member Dave Anderson shared footage and info about some of the late Northland Pearl Harbor Survivors. Some of the notable survivors of the attacks include Cloquet native Gordy Caza, Duluth’s Harold Baker, Conrad Treichler, Ed Wentzlaff, Arleigh Birk and Frank Wotring.
Anderson shared the story of Bruce Atwater of Bemidji, who served in the U.S. Coast Guard and arrived in Oahu three days before the attack. Atwater was cleaning up a recreation hall after a big night out when the loudspeaker sounded the attack. He went outdoors and watched several torpedo bombers fly overhead. He was eventually assigned to the sick bay and spent the remaining day cleaning people covered with oil before they could be treated for their wounds.
“As Bob mentioned, it’s important for us to remember those men and a lot of army nurses too, who made a difference that day as the U.S. launched into World War II,” Anderson said. “People like Bruce, who were kind enough to share their stories and become part of our collective history.”
Following the ceremony Sunday, a wreath was placed in the canal outside the maritime center in commemoration of those lost during the attack.
Teri Cadeau is a features reporter for the Duluth News Tribune. Originally from the Iron Range, Cadeau has worked for several community newspapers in the Duluth area, including the Duluth Budgeteer News, Western Weekly, Weekly Observer, Lake County News-Chronicle, and occasionally, the Cloquet Pine Journal. When not working, she’s an avid reader, crafter, dancer, trivia fanatic and cribbage player.
