Legacy of Courage: 100-Year-Old Pearl Harbor Survivor Bob Fernandez Dies at Home
Bob Fernandez, a 100-year-old survivor of the Pearl Harbor attack, passed away peacefully at his nephew’s home in Lodi, California, on December 11, 2024. Fernandez, who was a 17-year-old sailor aboard the USS Curtiss during the attack on December 7, 1941, had recently suffered a stroke that weakened his health, preventing him from attending the 83rd-anniversary remembrance in Hawaii.
As a mess cook on the USS Curtiss, Fernandez witnessed the bombing and played a role in assisting the ship’s defense during the attack, which resulted in the loss of 21 crew members aboard his ship and the deaths of over 2,300 U.S. servicemen.
After serving six years in the Navy, he lived a life characterized by kindness and community service, enjoying music, dancing, and helping neighbors well into his later years.
Fernandez is remembered for his resilience, humility, and dedication to bringing joy to others.
