Clayton Schenkelberg.Photo: Nelvin C. Cepeda/San Diego Union-Tribune via ZUMA
Clayton Schenkelberg, a 30-year U.S. Navy veteran believed to be the country’s oldest Pearl Harbor survivor,has died. He was 103.
Schenkelberg, who was just 24 when Pearl Harbor was attacked, killing2,390 American service members and civilians, died on April 14 at a senior care facility in San Diego, theSan Diego Union-Tribunereported.
“America lost another hero, and we lost our father,” hisobituaryread. “Clayton was a loving husband, caring dad, co-worker, friend and a noted ‘Card Shark.’ Our hero is gone, but NEVER forgotten.”
“Sure, I knew I could be killed,” he told the newspaper. “But it had to be done.”
After that fateful day, Schenkelberg remained with the Navy for 20 more years, and later worked for San Diego City Schools as a custodian, according to his obituary. He also volunteered with Our Lady of Grace Church, where he ran their food pantry.
“If you asked him about any of it, he would tell you he was just doing what needed to be done,” his son Patrick told theUnion-Tribune. “He didn’t think it was anything special. He had a job to do, and he did it.”
His obituary said that Alithea was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, and that Schenkelberg served as her caregiver. He told theUnion-Tribunein January that his secret to a long life was his enduring love for his wife, who he called “the sweetest person ever.”
“[He] provided her with the love, dignity and support she needed and deserved for many years until her passing almost four years ago,” his obituary said.
As theUnion-Tribunenotes, there is no official roster of how many Pearl Harbor survivors are still alive, but 99-year-old survivor Stuart Hedley said the figure is probably less than 100.
“He was an outstanding gentleman, very humble and always ready to lend a hand,” Hedley said.
source: people.com
