Pearl Harbor Survivor Reunited With Shipmates
Release Date: 7/24/2007 5:28:00 PM
By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Paul D. Honnick, Fleet Public Affairs Det. Hawaii
PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- A Sailor who survived the attack on Pearl Harbor was reunited with his shipmates July 17 in a burial at sea ceremony held at the USS Utah Memorial on Ford Island in Naval Station (NAVSTA) Pearl Harbor.
Nearly a decade after his passing, the family of Chief Gunner’s Mate Raymond Haack honored his memory by scattering his ashes into the water next to the sunken ship where 54 crew members lost their lives Dec. 7, 1941.
“Thanks to the family, the United States Navy will now honor this American hero as he so justly deserves,” said retired Master Chief Yeoman Jim Taylor, burial at sea coordinator for the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association.
In attendance were Haack's daughter Jeanne Haack Marcuci, grandson Michael Marcuci and his wife Heather, granddaughter Lisa Fritsch and his great-grandsons Cameron Marcuci and Sylvain Fritsch.
Taylor told a brief, yet moving story about the life of Raymond Haack, his patriotism during World War II and his devotion to family.
“He was very humble, he was handsome, hard working, intelligent, philosophical, nature loving, he had a sense of humor, but above all, he was a tremendous family man,” said Taylor.
Navy Chaplain Cmdr. Bernard Pacaro offered a blessing to Haack’s memory and his many accomplishments during life.
“Raymond Haack is one such person who makes this a holy place and a living memorial to those who sacrifice much for their god, for their country, for their shipmates and indeed for their family,” said Pacaro.
After Pacaro delivered his blessing, the family proceeded to the end of the pier and scattered Haack’s ashes into the harbor.
As his ashes drifted by USS Utah, the NAVSTA Pearl Harbor Ceremonial Guard rendered a 21-gun salute followed by the playing of Taps by the Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet Band.
“I have to think that there’s a possibility that he was here today from wherever he is. I don’t know and none of us will ever know, but in a way, I have to feel that he’s happy right now,” said Taylor.
Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Illianna Thomas, a volunteer honor guard member, presented Haack’s daughter Jeanne with his flag.
“It’s a real honor to be able to be a part of this. It makes me sad in my heart to hear about the lives of the people who passed away, but it also gives me a sense of pride,” said Haack's daughter.
Haack was serving aboard Saint Louis-class light cruiser USS Helena (CL-50) when Japanese planes were spotted flying over Ford Island at 7:57 a.m., Dec. 7, 1941.
Without delay, the officer of the deck sounded the general alarm and passed word over the announcing system, “Japanese planes bombing Ford Island, man all battle stations, break out service ammunition.”
Only one minute after general quarters had been sounded, a single torpedo struck Helena on the starboard side, inflicting heavy casualties. The force of the explosion knocked Haack off his feet and onto his back while he was racing to his general quarters station. Helena continued to be attacked suffering four near misses by enemy bombs and one strafing attack.
Of the 2,388 people killed during the attack on Pearl Harbor, 33 Sailors and one Marine lost their lives aboard Helena.
“He saw a lot of terrible things and survived it all, so he was very grateful for everything,” said Haack's daughter.
Perhaps by fate, Haack’s two daughters Randi and Jeanne were each born on Dec. 7 in 1943 and 1946 respectively.
“Perhaps this was part of some grand plan to have his daughters bring him happy memories over the years on that day in infamy,” said Taylor.
Haack enlisted in the Navy in April 1939 and was honorably discharged in 1946.
He passed away August 1998, at the age of 80, and is survived by his wife, three children and four grandchildren.
“I think he would be very blessed at having been honored and being back here at Pearl Harbor with the people that were here too that meant a lot to him,” said his daughter. “Being in the military and then surviving those types of situations I think are inseparable.”
For more news from around the fleet, visit www.navy.mil.
By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Paul D. Honnick, Fleet Public Affairs Det. Hawaii
PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- A Sailor who survived the attack on Pearl Harbor was reunited with his shipmates July 17 in a burial at sea ceremony held at the USS Utah Memorial on Ford Island in Naval Station (NAVSTA) Pearl Harbor.
Nearly a decade after his passing, the family of Chief Gunner’s Mate Raymond Haack honored his memory by scattering his ashes into the water next to the sunken ship where 54 crew members lost their lives Dec. 7, 1941.
“Thanks to the family, the United States Navy will now honor this American hero as he so justly deserves,” said retired Master Chief Yeoman Jim Taylor, burial at sea coordinator for the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association.
In attendance were Haack's daughter Jeanne Haack Marcuci, grandson Michael Marcuci and his wife Heather, granddaughter Lisa Fritsch and his great-grandsons Cameron Marcuci and Sylvain Fritsch.
Taylor told a brief, yet moving story about the life of Raymond Haack, his patriotism during World War II and his devotion to family.
“He was very humble, he was handsome, hard working, intelligent, philosophical, nature loving, he had a sense of humor, but above all, he was a tremendous family man,” said Taylor.
Navy Chaplain Cmdr. Bernard Pacaro offered a blessing to Haack’s memory and his many accomplishments during life.
“Raymond Haack is one such person who makes this a holy place and a living memorial to those who sacrifice much for their god, for their country, for their shipmates and indeed for their family,” said Pacaro.
After Pacaro delivered his blessing, the family proceeded to the end of the pier and scattered Haack’s ashes into the harbor.
As his ashes drifted by USS Utah, the NAVSTA Pearl Harbor Ceremonial Guard rendered a 21-gun salute followed by the playing of Taps by the Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet Band.
“I have to think that there’s a possibility that he was here today from wherever he is. I don’t know and none of us will ever know, but in a way, I have to feel that he’s happy right now,” said Taylor.
Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Illianna Thomas, a volunteer honor guard member, presented Haack’s daughter Jeanne with his flag.
“It’s a real honor to be able to be a part of this. It makes me sad in my heart to hear about the lives of the people who passed away, but it also gives me a sense of pride,” said Haack's daughter.
Haack was serving aboard Saint Louis-class light cruiser USS Helena (CL-50) when Japanese planes were spotted flying over Ford Island at 7:57 a.m., Dec. 7, 1941.
Without delay, the officer of the deck sounded the general alarm and passed word over the announcing system, “Japanese planes bombing Ford Island, man all battle stations, break out service ammunition.”
Only one minute after general quarters had been sounded, a single torpedo struck Helena on the starboard side, inflicting heavy casualties. The force of the explosion knocked Haack off his feet and onto his back while he was racing to his general quarters station. Helena continued to be attacked suffering four near misses by enemy bombs and one strafing attack.
Of the 2,388 people killed during the attack on Pearl Harbor, 33 Sailors and one Marine lost their lives aboard Helena.
“He saw a lot of terrible things and survived it all, so he was very grateful for everything,” said Haack's daughter.
Perhaps by fate, Haack’s two daughters Randi and Jeanne were each born on Dec. 7 in 1943 and 1946 respectively.
“Perhaps this was part of some grand plan to have his daughters bring him happy memories over the years on that day in infamy,” said Taylor.
Haack enlisted in the Navy in April 1939 and was honorably discharged in 1946.
He passed away August 1998, at the age of 80, and is survived by his wife, three children and four grandchildren.
“I think he would be very blessed at having been honored and being back here at Pearl Harbor with the people that were here too that meant a lot to him,” said his daughter. “Being in the military and then surviving those types of situations I think are inseparable.”
For more news from around the fleet, visit www.navy.mil.
Labels: navy, Pearl Harbor
posted by Joe at Wednesday, July 25, 2007
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