In 1941, Marine Sgt. Richard I. Fiske was the bugler on board the USS West Virginia. He was preparing to sound “colors” on December 7th when his ship was attacked by Japanese airplanes as the bombing of Pearl Harbor began. Fiske was on the bridge when one of the attackers roared past him, so close he could clearly see the pilot’s face. This image haunted him for many years in recurring nightmares which eventually made him sick. When he finally told his story, his healing process began.

Dick told his story for many years as a volunteer at the USS Arizona Memorial. He made friends with many Japanese veterans, including some who actually bombed his ship. One of the pilots, Zenji Abe, became a special friend.

Until his death in April, 2004, Dick returned to the USS Arizona Memorial once a month, gently placed two roses at the memorial wall, and sounded taps in honor of those who died there. Those fortunate enough to witness this simple ceremony will never forget it.

“I want kids to understand that you don’t have to hate forever,” Dick says in a letter to Jennifer in Pearl Harbor Warriors “I’m happy to tell you about my friendship with my former enemy. We can become friends with our adversaries.”

In January 2004, Dick was honored by U.S. Interior Secretary Gale Norton and Hawaii Governor Linda Lingle for contributing more than 3,000 hours of time to the USS Arizona Memorial.

The “Pearl Harbor Warrior” passed away on April 2, 2004 at the age of 82