Ira “Ike” Schab, a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II and one of the last remaining survivors of the attack on Pearl Harbor, has died at the age of 105, marking the passing of a living witness to one of the most pivotal moments in modern history.
Schab passed away surrounded by family, leaving behind a rare, firsthand memory of the morning of December 7, 1941—a day that altered the course of American history and propelled the United States into World War II.
Born in 1920, Ira Schab enlisted in the U.S. Navy as a young man. At the time of the Japanese attack on the naval base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, he was serving aboard the USS Dobbin, a repair ship anchored in the harbor. Although the vessel was not a primary target, Schab witnessed the chaos unfold as bombs fell, battleships burned, and sailors scrambled for survival.
In interviews later in life, Schab often recalled the shock and disbelief of those first moments, as young servicemen struggled to understand what was happening around them. “We didn’t know what was going on. Everything happened so fast,” he once said.
Following Pearl Harbor, Schab continued to serve in the Navy throughout World War II, contributing to the U.S. war effort in the Pacific. After the war ended, he returned to civilian life, built a family, and pursued his career—but the memory of that fateful day in 1941 never left him.
In his later years, Schab remained committed to preserving history. He frequently participated in commemorative events and spoke to students and the public about Pearl Harbor, determined to ensure that the lessons and sacrifices of his generation would not be forgotten as time passed and survivors became fewer.
With Schab’s death, the number of living witnesses to the Pearl Harbor attack has grown even smaller. Each passing survivor represents the loss of a direct link to history—memories that no textbook can fully replace.
Ira “Ike” Schab was not only a sailor who served his country during one of its darkest hours, but also a living testament to history, dedicating his long life to remembering—and reminding the world—of a moment that must never be forgotten.
