Pearl Harbor Hero Jack Holder Remembers the Shocking Attack That Changed History

Former U.S. Navy pilot Jack Holder, a witness to one of the darkest days in American history, passed away on February 26, 2023. Holder’s reminiscences of December 7, 1941, provide a haunting glimpse into the memories carried by those who experienced the attack on Pearl Harbor firsthand.

On that fateful morning in Oahu, Japan executed a surprise offensive against the U.S. Pacific Fleet, resulting in over 2,400 casualties and significant destruction. Among the ships affected was the USS Arizona, which suffered a devastating explosion that claimed more than 1,000 lives. “I seen devastation there that I’ll never forget,” Holder recalled. “It’s very vivid. I remember it like it was yesterday.”

President Franklin D. Roosevelt addressed the nation the following day, declaring December 7 a date that would live in infamy. Holder, now one of fewer than 75 surviving Pearl Harbor veterans, reflects on the impact of that day and his subsequent service in World War II.

Initially reluctant to discuss his experiences, Holder’s perspective shifted after participating in an Arizona Honor Flight that took him to the World War II memorial in Washington, D.C. “We landed in Detroit, and there was a throng of people 200 yards long lined up on the tarmac to greet our plane,” he said. This event marked a turning point for Holder, showing him that Americans valued the sacrifices of veterans.

Raised during the Great Depression in East Texas and inspired by his uncle’s piloting of a crop-dusting plane, Holder enlisted in the Navy at just 18. He arrived in Hawaii in early December 1941, admiring the beauty of the islands before experiencing the horror of war. “You can imagine how beautiful it was to a young Texas boy,” he said, speaking fondly of the beaches and pineapple fields that would soon transform into a site of turmoil.

On the day of the attack, Holder was stationed at Ford Island, where the chaos unfolded. He vividly recalls being just yards away from the initial explosion: “When the first bomb fell at Pearl Harbor, it fell about 100 yards from me.” Alongside his fellow service members, he found temporary refuge in a sewer ditch while witnessing the assault.

The aftermath of the attack forged a path for Holder, who flew more than 100 missions throughout the Pacific Theater, contributing to significant battles including Midway and Guadalcanal. His experiences embody the sacrifices made by countless veterans whose narratives are increasingly fading from collective memory.

As the 80th anniversary of Pearl Harbor approaches, communities across the nation, including Arizona, are preparing to commemorate this pivotal moment in history. At the USS Arizona Memorial Gardens in Salt River, a display of lights will illuminate the night sky, symbolizing the lives lost on the USS Arizona. “The lights represent all those who perished just on the USS Arizona,” said tourism manager Lauressa Thomas. “To see over 1,100 columns lit up really helps people understand the impact that just that ship alone had on Pearl Harbor.”

As fewer World War II veterans remain, it becomes increasingly important to preserve their stories. Holder’s reflections are a reminder of the sacrifices made during that tumultuous era and the need to honor those who served. His legacy, like the memory of Pearl Harbor, will endure as a significant part of American history.