"They bombed us."
At 100-years old, Joseph Iscovitz takes a moment to reflect a day in which he survived 75 years ago — the attack on Pearl Harbor.
In 1934, Joseph enlisted in the Air Force. At the start of World War II, he was transferred to Fort Shafter Army Base in Hawaii.
Then on December 7th, 1941, Iscovitz witnessed the Japanese surprise attack on the Hawaiian naval base.
“He could see the bombs exploding and he actually saw the bombs that exploded on the USS Arizona that blew up and made a huge fire ball,” said his son, Doug.
Unknowingly decades later, Joseph would live to be one of the last remaining Pearl Harbor survivors in the country.
“I’m very proud of my dad and always have been proud of my dad,” said Doug.
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Doug Iscovitz is a member of the Sons and Daughters of Pearl Harbor Survivors — a group who has worked to honor their beloved parents with remembrances at the historical site in Hawaii.
“When they saluted my dad, he had tears running down his eyes – because he was given so much respect, so many years later,” Doug said.
Upon retiring in 1958, in the early 70’s, Joseph moved his family to Florida. Yet his valor and respect for the U.S. and its armed forces has never faded.
“I love America,” Joseph said. “I would do it again.”
