World War II Navy Veteran and Pearl Harbor Survivor Ira “Ike” Schab Dies at 105

World War II Navy Veteran and Pearl Harbor Survivor Ira “Ike” Schab Dies at 105

Ira “Ike” Schab, a World War II U.S. Navy veteran and one of the last surviving witnesses to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, has died at the age of 105. His death marks another solemn milestone as the number of living survivors from the historic 1941 attack continues to dwindle.

Schab passed away peacefully at his home early Saturday, surrounded by family, according to his daughter, Kimberlee Heinrichs, who spoke with The Associated Press. She said he died in the presence of her and her husband, bringing to a close a life that spanned more than a century and one of the most defining moments in American history.

With Schab’s passing, only about a dozen survivors of the Pearl Harbor attack are believed to remain alive. The surprise assault by Japanese forces on December 7, 1941, killed more than 2,400 U.S. service members and injured thousands more. The attack prompted the United States to formally enter World War II, dramatically altering the course of global history.

At the time of the bombing, Schab was just 21 years old, serving as a sailor in the U.S. Navy. Like many veterans of his generation, he rarely spoke about his wartime experiences for much of his life. Friends and family say he carried the memories quietly, focusing instead on building a peaceful life after the war.

In later years, however, Schab felt a growing responsibility to share his story as fewer of his fellow sailors remained alive. Recognizing that the generation who witnessed Pearl Harbor firsthand was fading, he began traveling regularly from his home in Beaverton, Oregon, to Hawaii to attend the annual Pearl Harbor remembrance ceremonies.

Speaking during one such visit in 2023, Schab explained his motivation simply and humbly. “I go to pay honor to the guys that didn’t make it,” he said, referring to the thousands of service members who lost their lives during the attack.

Those who knew him describe Schab as modest, deeply patriotic, and committed to preserving the memory of those who served alongside him. His presence at remembrance events served as a living connection to history, offering younger generations a chance to hear directly from someone who experienced one of the darkest days in U.S. military history.