Remembering Pearl Harbor 70 years later

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) - 70 years later, images of Peal Harbor are still haunting. The Japanese attack on American forces on Dec. 7, 1941 claimed more than 2,000 American lives.

More than 1,000 individuals were injured.

John Van Auken says, 70 years later, he's glad to be alive after surviving one of the worst days in his life.

"It really is a miracle I survived that day when there was so much going on," Van Auken said.

92-year-old Van Auken was a sailor aboard the USS California at Pearl Harbor when he heard the Japanese planes.

"We took two torpedoes real fast," Van Auken remembered.

Next came the order to man your battle stations. The ship listed and Van Auken was given the order to take the ship's important documents ashore. He had a dangerous swim ahead, as the water was on fire.

Van Auken said, " I realized no way I could stay on the surface because of the burning oil from the Arizona and the other ships. It was a mess. Well, I had to swim underwater."

He safely made it to Ford Island and a dispensary there.

"I'm very thankful somebody was looking out for me," Van Auken said.

Van Auken, along with other survivors, remembered those who paid the ultimate price at ceremonies at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story Wednesday.

Pearl Harbor survivor John Delia said, "It's a remembrance of all my shipmates that passed away at Pearl Harbor, which is quite a few of them. Thinking I'm humbled I'm still here. They're gone."

In Richmond, Governor Bob McDonnell placed a wreath at the Virginia War Memorial and ordered flags flown at half-staff at government buildings and grounds in remembrance of the 70th anniversary of Pearl Harbor.