Jacksonville Pearl Harbor survivor honors fallen friends

Jacksonville, FL — He was just 21-years-old when the USS West Virginia was hit with eight torpedoes, ultimately sinking.

Now, at 98-years-old, Robert Beaudreau says he’s proud to be a Pearl Harbor survivor.

“I was very lucky to survive the attack, I’m very thankful,” he says.

Beaudreau lives in Jacksonville and has attended Pearl Harbor commemorations at Naval Station Mayport in the past, but he says Thursday’s event on the USS Milwaukee was the best he’s been involved with yet. For those who hosted, they were honored just to be able to honor those who sacrificed so much.

“Give a little bit of tribute to the guys that went through so much during the attack, and just to give them a little bit of credit for younger guys like us, and the future of the military. It was a great honor and I couldn’t be happier to be a part of it,” says Atlantic Beach Fleet Reserve Association Pearl Harbor Day ceremony Chairman Chad Burg.

FRA has been doing this type of ceremony since 1966, according to Burg. He says it’s important for current sailors and the public at large to get a sense of the heritage and importance of the event in American history.

In part of the ceremony, Beaudreau and others were invited to throw a bouquet over the side of the ship as a tribute to those lost during the Pearl Harbor attack. He says it was an emotional moment.

“I was thinking of all my friends that had passed on,” he says.

The attack happened just months in to Beaudreau’s 20-year Navy career. He then worked with the Post Office and as an umpire, ultimately settling in Jacksonville.

He says he plans to be involved in the commemorations for as long as he can.

The USS Milwaukee, one of Mayport’s new Littoral Combat Ships, volunteered to host the ceremony. Commanding Officer Commander Ken Lieberman says they were honored to step forward, and did so because they believe it’s important for the ship’s sailors to understand and remember what happened.