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Oldest Living Pearl Harbor Survivor, 106, Watches Surrender.

5/24/2026

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Summary

Story summary

At 106, Freeman Johnson is the nation’s oldest living Pearl Harbor survivor and continues to attend remembrance ceremonies.
He served as a Navy fireman aboard USS St. Louis during the attack, helped commission USS Iowa, and rode it carrying President Franklin D. Roosevelt to 1943 Tehran Conference.
He watched the Japanese surrender from USS Iowa’s mast on September 2, 1945, while his daughter Diane accompanied him to ceremonies.

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Story summary

At 106, Freeman Johnson is the nation’s oldest living Pearl Harbor survivor and continues to attend remembrance ceremonies.
He served as a Navy fireman aboard USS St. Louis during the attack, helped commission USS Iowa, and rode it carrying President Franklin D. Roosevelt to 1943 Tehran Conference.
He watched the Japanese surrender from USS Iowa’s mast on September 2, 1945, while his daughter Diane accompanied him to ceremonies.