Elderly Kentuckian Vaughn Drake, the oldest-known survivor of the Pearl Harbor attack, passes away at 104 years old.
Central Kentucky Native and Oldest Known Survivor of Pearl Harbor Attack Passes Away at 106
Vaughn P. Drake, Jr., a central Kentucky native and the oldest known survivor of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, passed away last week at the age of 106.
At the time of the attack, Drake was 23 years old and serving in the US Army, specifically with the Army Corps of Engineers in the Pacific. He was helping to build barracks at Kaneohe Naval Air Station on the east side of Oahu.
Initially, they believed the planes were the Army Air Corps doing maneuvers. However, an officer later informed them that the island was under attack. Drake saw a bomb hit one of their buildings, confirming it was a real attack.
Drake's service during the war did not end with the attack on Pearl Harbor. He was part of the Marianas campaign and served in various roles, including running a temporary power plant that provided electricity for carpenters' equipment.
After the war, Drake returned to Kentucky and worked with General Telephone of Kentucky as an engineer until retirement. His contributions to the field of engineering were recognised with several awards, including the KSPE State Award in 1979 for "Outstanding Engineer in Industry."
Drake was also a member of several organisations, including the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, the National Society of Professional Engineers, the Society of American Military Engineers, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels, the Mayor's Spirit of Lexington Award, the University of Kentucky Alumni Association, and the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association.
In his personal life, Drake was married to Lina Wilson Drake, who passed away on Dec. 23, 2011. He is survived by his son Sam W. Drake, two grandsons, and three great grandchildren.
Visitation for Drake will be held on Thursday from noon to 2 p.m. at Milward Funeral Director's Southland Drive, followed by military burial services at the Winchester Cemetery at 3 p.m.
Drake's life was marked by service, both to his country and his community. He will be remembered as a dedicated engineer, a loving family man, and a proud veteran.
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