Photo By Tech. Sgt. Heather Salazar | U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Summer Pech, Pacific Air Forces personnelist, passes a...... read more read more
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JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii—When the Japanese attacked Hickam Field on Sunday, December 7, 1941, over 189 people lost their lives. One in particular was a young chaplain’s assistant who was setting up for the morning service. Seventy-six years later, a small group gathered in the Courtyard of Heroes for a remembrance service and Catholic Mass in honor of U.S. Army Air Corps Pfc. Joseph Nelles Dec. 10.
“This is a sacred place today—not just because we gather to pray and worship; it’s also sacred because we gather to remember,” said Lt. Col. David Dersch, Pacific Air Forces staff chaplain. “Whatever our faith background, we share a common legacy of faith and courage. Today, we are ohana—brought together by an amazing heritage.”
Nelles was a Catholic chaplain’s assistant stationed at Hickam Field in 1941. He was preparing the altar for Mass at the base theater that Sunday when a bomb hit. The theater was completely destroyed and Nelles’ body was found at the altar.
In a letter to Nelles’ parents, Col. Edmund C. Sliney, the base chaplain, wrote about their son’s dedication to both God and country.
“I myself found his body, and from its position, I firmly believe that he had reached the altar and was probably kneeling before it,” said Sliney. “Joe was a splendid boy who did much for the Holy Mother church while here, being untiring in his efforts to lead his fellow soldiers to God."
The ceremony was held at the at the Courtyard of Heroes in the Pacific Air Force headquarters building, which still bears the marks from the attack.
“If these walls could speak, they would tell us of the courage, faith, and sacrifice of the heroes of Hickam Field who gave their all to defend our great land,” said Dersch. “This sacred heritage is now passed on to every service member who defends our nation and the freedom we cherish.”
| Date Taken: | 12.11.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 12.11.2017 22:03 |
| Story ID: | 258363 |
| Location: | JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, HI, US |
| Web Views: | 84 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, 76 Years Later: Remembering Pfc. Nelles, by TSgt Heather Salazar, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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