Robert Coles, Pearl Harbor Veteran
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Robert Coles is a Pearl Harbor Survivor who would like to return to Hawaii for the 75th Anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor to honor those who died defending our country on Dec 7, 1941. Bob has not been back to Pearl Harbor since World War II ended.
I am a friend of Bob Coles and am raising money to send Bob, now 92 years old and a traveling companion to Pearl Harbor so that he may honor those who died there. Bob lives in Maine and will need airfare, rental car, meals, and lodging for 2 people. The committee sponsoring 75th Anniversary event has arranged for an Honor Flight from Los Angeles to Hawaii for survivors, but they must travel to and from California on their own.
Robert Coles was a 17 year old Radioman Apprentice serving on board the USS Bagley when Pearl Harbor was attacked on December 7, 1941. The Bagley was there in Pearl Harbor on that terrible morning and it was Bob's first battle. He was the first person on his ship to see the approaching aircraft and thought at first that they were part of a training exercise. It was only after seeing what he describes as something that looked like sand falling from the planes followed by explosions on Ford Island that he knew they were under attack. Bob served bravely that day as he witnessed the events unfolding all around him. Initially he shot a 50 caliber machine gun, hitting the first two torpedo planes that flew by the Bagley. When he was relieved of his gun he acted as a plane spotter, and later he fed ammunition up to the guns.
Bob served 30 years in the navy, earning 17 battle stars and multiple good conduct awards and retired as a Chief Radioman.
He would be so appreciative to those who make this trip possible.
I am a friend of Bob Coles and am raising money to send Bob, now 92 years old and a traveling companion to Pearl Harbor so that he may honor those who died there. Bob lives in Maine and will need airfare, rental car, meals, and lodging for 2 people. The committee sponsoring 75th Anniversary event has arranged for an Honor Flight from Los Angeles to Hawaii for survivors, but they must travel to and from California on their own.
Robert Coles was a 17 year old Radioman Apprentice serving on board the USS Bagley when Pearl Harbor was attacked on December 7, 1941. The Bagley was there in Pearl Harbor on that terrible morning and it was Bob's first battle. He was the first person on his ship to see the approaching aircraft and thought at first that they were part of a training exercise. It was only after seeing what he describes as something that looked like sand falling from the planes followed by explosions on Ford Island that he knew they were under attack. Bob served bravely that day as he witnessed the events unfolding all around him. Initially he shot a 50 caliber machine gun, hitting the first two torpedo planes that flew by the Bagley. When he was relieved of his gun he acted as a plane spotter, and later he fed ammunition up to the guns.
Bob served 30 years in the navy, earning 17 battle stars and multiple good conduct awards and retired as a Chief Radioman.
He would be so appreciative to those who make this trip possible.
Organizer and beneficiary
Laura Knight
Organizer
Machias, ME
Robert Coles
Beneficiary