WORLD NEWS FOR MONTENEGRO DIASPORA
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Ira “Ike” Schab, one of the last surviving American veterans of the attack on Pearl Harbor, has died at the age of 105, marking the loss of a direct witness to one of the most pivotal moments in U.S. history.
Schab was a young serviceman when Japanese forces attacked the U.S. naval base in Hawaii on December 7, 1941, an event that propelled the United States into World War II. Like many of those who lived through that morning, he rarely spoke of it in detail early in his life, but later came to see sharing his experience as a responsibility to future generations.
In his later years, Schab attended commemorations, spoke with students, and participated in interviews, reflecting on the shock, fear, and confusion of the attack, as well as the sense of duty that followed. He often emphasized the importance of remembering not only the history, but also the human cost of war and the value of peace.
Friends and family described him as humble and deeply proud of his service, though he rarely sought recognition. Those who knew him said he believed strongly in preserving the memory of Pearl Harbor as the number of living survivors steadily declined.
With his passing, the group of remaining Pearl Harbor veterans grows even smaller, underscoring the urgency of recording their stories before they are lost to time. Historians and veterans’ organizations have repeatedly noted that these individuals provide a living connection to a generation shaped by global conflict.
Schab’s death is being mourned by relatives, fellow veterans, and those who encountered him through his public appearances. His life spanned more than a century of change, but his legacy remains closely tied to a single day that altered the course of history and defined a generation.
Author: M.J
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