Montana loses its last Pearl Harbor survivor at age 99

Montana – On Monday, March 21, 2023, the two senators from Montana offered their condolences on the demise of Charlie Dowd of Anaconda, Montana’s only known living Pearl Harbor survivor.

When the Japanese attacked the American naval base in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, Dowd was only 17 years old.

Dowd was initially told to hide under some tables. As soon as they needed more fighters, Dowd and another sailor took weapons, went to the top of a building, and began firing at the approaching aircraft.

“Charlie Dowd’s extraordinary courage at Pearl Harbor and exemplary service is what makes our country the greatest in the world, and we owe him a deep debt that can never be repaid,” U.S. Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) said in a statement. “A member of the Greatest Generation, he proudly answered the call to service and was among the thousands of radiomen working all day and night transmitting and receiving messages to keep our nation safe. He is one of Montana’s very best, and he will be sorely missed.”

U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) honored Dowd with a tribute in the Congressional Record in 2018. Daines said in a statement on Monday, “I’m saddened to hear about the passing of Montana hero Charlie Dowd, the last survivor of Pearl Harbor in our state. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and all who loved him today. Charlie’s story is a solemn reminder that freedom is never free and the price paid by the greatest generation is a debt that we will never be able to repay.”

According to Dowd’s public obituary, he passed away on March 17, 2023, a Friday. He had reached age 99.