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Edward 'Ed' Johann
Ed was born September 11, 1923 in the San Fernando Valley of California. He had two brothers. At age 16, Ed enlisted in the U.S. Navy in early 1941 and was assigned to a seaplane tender, and then shipped to Pearl Harbor in November. On December 7, 1941 Ed was a 17 year old Seaman serving on a 36' motor launch off of the U.S.S. Solace, a Hospital ship at anchor off the north end of Ford Island. He witnessed the initial attack by the Japanese and saw the U.S.S. Arizona explode in a ball of fire. His motor launch rescued men from the ships and from the water throughout that "Day of Infamy". Ed served the remainder of his service time on a seaplane tender in action throughout the South Pacific. Ed was discharged in August 1945, and then served 28 years with the Portland Fire Department. Ed was an amateur boxer, and a skilled Mountaineer. He married in 1944 while stationed in San Diego and raised two sons. His wife passed away in March 2006 after 62 years of marriage. Ed turned 96 on September 11, 2019. He resides in Wilsonville, OR. Ed went on his Honor Flight in May 2014.
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