Pearl Harbor Survivor Remembered

PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- A Pearl Harbor survivor and USS Pyro Aviation Electrician 1st Class was remembered in an intimate sunrise ceremony in which his ashes were committed into the waters of Pearl Harbor near the Arizona Memorial, May 14.

Commander Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Rear Adm. Frank Caldwell helped honor the late Donald Green by presiding over the ceremony.

"As those shipmates who experienced World War II firsthand pass, it is important for us in service today to seek out their stories, share their experiences and continue to 'Never Forget' the lessons of history," remarked Caldwell.

Green was a Chief Petty Officer who along with his twin brother George, served on the ammunition ship USS Pyro (AE1) docked in Pearl Harbor during the attack by the Japanese on Dec. 7, 1941.

In an article by Kitsap Navy News published May 15, 2011, Green said he and his twin brother joined the Navy on their 18th birthdays to better themselves.

"It was just perfect for a guy like me," said Green in the article. "It was something I could do to give myself a good life."

On his last visit to Pearl Harbor, on Dec. 11, 2011, Green was interviewed by Commander Submarine Force Pacific Fleet (COMSUBPAC) Public Affairs about his recollections about that infamous day. (To view the interview, go to this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAJgLffi-5s )

Green described a scene of chaos and destruction. "That Sunday morning, all hell broke loose," said Green.

Green, who had recently completed his duties as the Petty Officer of the Watch from midnight to 4 a.m., was sleeping in his bunk when around 8 a.m. he was awoken by a loud explosion. He thought the sound was from the Army practicing bomb runs but soon found out the real horror when the bomb blasts started feeling all too real. Green ran topside to investigate. To his disbelief Japanese Zero planes were strafing Pearl Harbor.

He remembered seeing the red scarf worn by the Japanese Zero pilot as the pilot discharged the bomb out of his plane and narrowly missed the Pyro by 10 feet. Green ran and manned his machine gun and fired at the Japanese planes. The zero was eventually brought down by the same machine guns that were fitted a few months earlier.

In another news clipping that Green had saved, it said that the overall effort by Green and the other crew members in warding off attack by the Japanese played an important but little known part of the overall defense of Pearl Harbor, and in particular the ammunition depot at West Loch.

Green continued to say in the Kitsap Navy News article that his memories of fighting at Pearl Harbor were bittersweet.

"On one hand Pearl Harbor was a beautiful place," said Green. "But the loss of great lives during that war was hard to deal with."

The ship later steamed out of Pearl Harbor and three days later was attacked by a Japanese submarine. Three torpedoes were fired at his ship but missed due to the ship following a zigzag pattern. Pyro's five inch gun ended the confrontation as the ship and her crew survived the attack.

In the earlier interview, Green, originally from New Bedford, Mass., said he and brother George were fortunate to be stationed together on Pyro, and fortunate to make it out alive that infamous day.

After Sailing on Pyro, he continued his Navy career in other places such as Alaska, Washington state, the South Pacific, and New Hebrides Islands.

Green knew his decision to join the Navy was a move to better himself.

"What I like most is the fact that you meet amazing people," said Green to the Kitsap Navy News.

After 20 years of service, Green retired and continued working as a pipefitter foreman at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard.

Over the years, Green said there have been several renunions of former Pyro Sailors. Noting the importance of unit reunions, Green said in another news clipping he kept, that each time they got together, the group learned something new about that historical day.

"I think its important for all of us to know our history because it brought us to where we are today," said Green in that article.

Green has spoken at schools, Navy forums and other events over the past several years about his experiences in Pearl Harbor.

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For more news from Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/local/subpac/ .