HONOLULU (AP) — Retired U.S. Navy Cmdr. Don Long was alone on an anchored military seaplane in the middle of a bay across the island from Pearl Harbor when Japanese warplanes started striking Hawaii on December 7, 1941, watching from afar as the attack that killed and wounded thousands unfolded.

The Japanese planes reached his base on Kaneohe Bay soon after Pearl Harbor was hit, and the young sailor saw buildings and planes explode all around him.

When the gunfire finally reached him, setting the aircraft ablaze, he jumped into the water and swam through the flames to safety.

Now 97, Long marked the 77th anniversary from his home in Napa, California on Friday.

He shared some of his memories with The Associated Press:





It was a different experience when he was flown to Hawaii for the 75th anniversary in 2016.


He attended a dinner where survivors were seated with dignitaries. At his table were Japan's Honolulu-based consul general and his wife.



Long no longer harbors ill will against Japan or its people.


"That has long since changed."

Long has not always marked the anniversary like he does now.


This year, Long was visiting school children before attending a Pearl Harbor ceremony atop Mount Diablo in Concord, California.

On Friday morning at about the time of the attack, Long spoke with the AP at his home as he prepared for the day: "I recall the day very, very distinctly," he said, remembering "the day that started the war for our country that caused so, so much havoc. And I do recall the friends who never came back with, oh, much sadness."

In his office are about 25 photos of old planes on the wall including one of the type of aircraft he was aboard that day. There is also a photo of a Japanese plane similar to the one he believes attacked him.

He keeps about a half dozen medals, including his Purple Heart. On his dresser is a photo of himself as a pilot in 1943. He also keeps one of his wife, who died 10 years ago.

His 1999 Volkswagen camper van has two magnetic signs — one with a photo of him and another reading "Remember Pearl Harbor." A special license plate notes he is a Pearl Harbor survivor.







He began preparing for a solitary day of signal drills and regular maintenance checks. He settled into the pilot's compartment to wait for contact from the beach signaling station to begin his drills.

A few minutes later, he heard the roar of airplanes overhead. In the distance, Long saw planes flying over hangars and buildings exploding. Another plane that was anchored nearby was hit and burst into flames.

Seconds later, a Japanese plane made a run toward his position. "The sequence of events during the next few minutes is not entirely clear," he recalled.


He made a run for the rear exit. Gasoline was ablaze on the water, so he jumped into the bay and swam beneath the fire to get away from the sinking plane. He came to the surface and through the flames three times for air.


Once the Japanese were gone, Long spotted a boat that was searching for survivors and flagged them down.

Long burned his head, face and arms making his escape, but he considered himself in good health compared to the wounded and dead around him.




Follow Associated Press Hawaii correspondent Caleb Jones on Twitter: https://twitter.com/CalebAP


Associated Press photographer Eric Risberg contributed to this report from Napa, California.