Napa valley resident and Navy veteran Don Long recently sat down with CalVet to share his memories of December 7, 1941 when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor.
Long recalls seeing planes just moments before 8 a.m. as he got ready to begin test flights with his crew. Watch the video to hear how he survived the attack and what he remembers about that day.
President Franklin Roosevelt called December 7, “a date which will live in infamy.” The Pearl Harbor bombing killed more than 2,300 Americans and completely destroyed the American battleship USS Arizona and capsized the USS Oklahoma. The attack sank or beached a total of twelve ships including the USS California and damaged nine others. More than 160 aircraft were destroyed and 150 others damaged, including Long’s PBY plane.
Long served as a radioman for the Navy before attending flight school and becoming a pilot and flight instructor until the end of World War II.
calvetconnect.blog 
It is powerful to hear Don Long’s story in his own voice and words, to remember and never forget the bravery and selfless contributions of our military personnel. Contributions for a greater good than any of us can ever accomplish alone. Just as important now, as it was at the time.
Thanks, Sandra, for sharing. I am glad you were able to attend the Napa ceremony in Bill’s stead.
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