At the venerable age of 102, one of the few remaining survivors of the 1941 Pearl Harbor attacks, Richard C. Higgins, passed away. His granddaughter, Angela Norton, confirmed that he died of natural causes at his residence in Bend, Oregon, on Tuesday.
Born on July 24, 1921, on a farm near Mangum, Oklahoma, Higgins enlisted in the Navy in 1939. During the infamous attack on December 7, 1941, he served as a radioman. He was part of a patrol squadron stationed at the Hawaii naval base, operating seaplanes when the Japanese launched their assault.
This devastating airstrike claimed the lives of over 2,400 Americans and propelled the United States into declaring war on Japan. Presently, only 22 survivors of this historic event remain.
Throughout his life, Higgins often shared his experiences from that day. In a poignant Instagram video from May 2020, he vividly recounted the chaos of December 7, detailing how he maneuvered planes away from the inferno as bombs rained down. “I was moving planes away from ones that were on fire because when the tanks exploded, they threw burning gas on the others,” he explained.
His recollections included an oral history interview published in 2008, where he remembered being awakened by explosions and rushing to his porch, only to see a plane with the unmistakable “big red meatballs” of Japan’s rising sun flag flying overhead, leaving no doubt in his mind about the unfolding attack.
Higgins became a celebrated figure in his Oregon community, especially noted on the 82nd anniversary of Pearl Harbor. Bend High School honored him, and the event saw him receiving standing ovations, tears, and gratitude from the community, a testament to their love and support.
On July 24, 2023, Higgins celebrated his 102nd birthday, surrounded by community members who came bearing balloons, U.S. flags, and a festive ‘102’ birthday crown. The celebration included a parade of vintage cars and motorbikes, and even a visit from Oregon police officers, all showing their respect for the centenarian.
Describing himself as a “102-year-old Pearl Harbor survivor, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather,” Higgins was keen on sharing his stories “before I forget them.” His wife, Winnie Ruth, passed away in 2004 at the age of 82, after 60 years of marriage. As Higgins entered hospice care, he expressed his readiness to reunite with his beloved Winnie Ruth, marking a poignant close to a life richly lived and bravely served.