The slogan “Remember Pearl Harbor” became popular after the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service carried out a surprise military attack against the United States Naval Base at the Hawaiian harbor. Today 106-year-old Ray Chavez is remembered for his service — and for the fact that he was the oldest military survivor of the attack that killed 2,335 military servicemen, 68 civilians, and embroiled the U.S. in a second world war.
Ray Chavez resided in Poway, California, when he passed away. His daughter, Kathleen Chavez, told reporters that her father had died in his sleep after battling pneumonia. His family said in a statement,
Ray was honored to have served his country and to fight among heroes and loved meeting his fellow comrades. He cherished his time going to talk to the kids at schools because he doesn’t want them to forget Pearl Harbor.