Pearl Harbor Survivor Ray Emory Dies, 97
Ray Emory (1921-2018) In Memoriam
Pearl Harbor Survivor and former Chief Boatswain’s Mate Ray Emory, 97, died Aug. 20, 2018, in Boise, Idaho.
Emory dedicated his life to identifying the remains of hundreds of service members killed on Dec. 7, 1941 and buried as “unknowns” in Hawaiʻi. His efforts were instrumental in helping identify the remains of more than 100 previously unidentified service members killed on Dec. 7 and buried at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl.
On June 19 Emory visited the Pearl Harbor waterfront to see one last time where his ship, USS Honolulu (CL 48), was berthed Dec. 7, 1941, the day Oʻahu was attacked.
Rear Admiral Brian Fort, commander, Navy Region Hawaiʻi and Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific, spoke at a ceremony on the pier, with Ray Emory as guest of honor.
“Chief Emory fought back that day, manning his machine-gun, taking on enemy planes,” said Fort. “He continued to fight on throughout the War in the Pacific. He and his buddies, with help from the home front, helped create an unprecedented era of peace, stability and prosperity. Victory at the end of World War II was Ray’s finest hour.”
Five hundred and twenty Sailors aboard USS O’Kane, berthed nearby, and Sailors from throughout the waterfront gave a tribute to the former Navy Chief, lining the rails of the ships, forming an honor cordon, saluting and shouting “hip, hip, hooray” to an American hero.
Fort added, “When the call came in 1941, Ray Emory and hundreds of thousands of other young Americans responded. Working with Allies and partners they fought to create a better world for our grandparents, parents, ourselves and our families. We do not take their sacrifice and commitment for granted. We remember.”
Ray, a long-time resident of Hawaiʻi, left for Boise, Idaho in late June to be with family.
A memorial service will be announced by the family in coming weeks.
180619-N-NU281-0074 PEARL HARBOR (June 19, 2018) Retired Chief Boatswain’s Mate and Pearl Harbor survivor Ray Emory was rendered honors by the sideboys during a farewell ceremony held before he departed Hawaiʻi to be with family. Emory was responsible for the identification of unknown service members killed in the attacks on Pearl Harbor who were buried in unnamed graves. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Justin Pacheco)
Mr. Ray Emory, a Pearl Harbor survivor, received the US Flag during the repatriation ceremony for Fireman First Class Charles Casto at the National Memorial of the Pacific, Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, Sept. 14, 2017. Casto, recently identified by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, will be reinterred at the National Memorial of the Pacific. There he will be reunited in the same plot with his brother, Richard Casto, who were both killed on the USS Oklahoma during the attack on Pearl Harbor. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Matthew J. Bruch)
180619-N-NU281-0135 PEARL HARBOR (June 19, 2018) Retired Chief Boatswain’s Mate and Pearl Harbor survivor Ray Emory delivered remarks during a farewell ceremony held before he departed Hawaiʻi to be with family. Emory was responsible for the identification of unknown service members killed in the attacks on Pearl Harbor who were buried in unnamed graves. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Justin Pacheco)
180619-N-NU281-0058 PEARL HARBOR (June 19, 2018) Retired Chief Boatswain’s Mate and Pearl Harbor survivor Ray Emory saluted the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS O’Kane (DDG 77) Sailors during a farewell ceremony held before he departed Hawaiʻi to be with family. Emory was responsible for the identification of unknown service members killed in the attacks on Pearl Harbor who were buried in unnamed graves. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Justin Pacheco)
Chief Ray Emory at sea in 1945. PC: Public Affairs Office, Navy Region Hawaiʻi
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