Descendants of World War II hero visit Pearl Harbor

Photo By Chief Petty Officer Katarzyna Kobiljak | 160321-N-YW024-067 PEARL HARBOR (March 21, 2016) Philip J. Collins, Fort Montgomery, N.Y., a grand-nephew of Chief Motor Machinist's Mate Philip J. Gabrunas reads a speech at the Gabrunas Hall at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. Chief Motor Machinist Mate Gabrunas died in action Nov. 19, 1943, while manning the hydraulic manifold when USS Sculpin(SS-191) was sunk by a Japanese destroyer in the South Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Katarzyna Kobiljak/Released)  

PEARL HARBOR, HI, UNITED STATES

03.21.2016

Story by Petty Officer 3rd Class Katarzyna Kobiljak  

Navy Public Affairs Support Element Detachment Hawaii

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii - Philip J. Collins, the great-nephew of Chief Motor Machinist’s Mate Philip J. Gabrunas who was killed during World War II, and family visited Gabrunas Hall at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam March 21, 2016.

“My great-uncle Philip Joseph Gabrunas, also known as Chief Gabrunas, was Chief Motor Machinist’s Mate United States Navy aboard USS Sculpin (SS 191) when she was attacked by Japanese destroyer north of Oroluk, an island near Truk located in the South Pacific Nov. 19, 1943,” said Collins during his meeting with Sailors in charge of maintaining Gabrunas Hall.

Gabrunas voluntarily manned an unassigned station of the hydraulic manifold. Thanks to his heroic sacrifice, many of the other Sailors were able to successfully abandon the vessel and avoid certain peril. For his heroic actions, Gabrunas was posthumously awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart medals.

“Even though 65 years have passed since his (Gabrunas') ultimate sacrifice,” said Collins, “we believe Philip Gabrunas’ memory stands here in effect as a force of the leadership and we have ability to honor his memory today.

It was a return visit for Collins and his wife who were able to attend the opening ceremony back in 1999, but it was a first visit for his daughter and other family members.

“Gabrunas Hall, which as we know is a home to more than 200 Sailors, stands here very impressively,” said Collins. “To me, it symbolizes the strength and bravery of my great-uncle.”

“The fact his legacy and contributions during World War II are memorialized here is deeply meaningful to my family,” said Collins, “we know Philip Gabrunas is on eternal patrol.”

“We are very thankful for an opportunity to meet with the family of Chief Gabrunas,” said Master Chief Adeline Lopes, senior enlisted in charge of Gabrunas Hall. “Not often junior Sailors have a chance to hear a family story behind a fallen Chief after whom the building is named.”

• Date Taken: 03.21.2016
• Date Posted: 03.22.2016 16:29
• Story ID: 193160
• Location: PEARL HARBOR, HI, US