Today is the 82nd anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. On December 7, 1941, the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, off the coast of the Hawaiian island of Oahu. The United States responded to this aggression by declaring war on the Axis Powers, and formally entering World War II.
There were 27 people from Peabody at Pearl Harbor that day: 24 servicemen, along with the entire Rowell family. Alexander Rowell, of Peabody, was stationed at Pearl Harbor with his wife and two children. Mrs. Rowell’s harrowing account of the attack made the local paper.
Each man had their personal experience and recollections of that fateful day.
One of them was Joseph Pechinsky. On that fateful Sunday, Pechinsky was attending a Catholic Mass, and credits this with keeping him safe from harm. Joseph Pechinsky may sound familiar, as he ran the popular Tanner City Fencers.
Dr. John Cena gave an interview to the Peabody Veteran’s Oral History project in 2003. He recounts his experience at Pearl Harbor, in his own words, in the link below: Oral History Video of Dr. John Cena
-
- Joseph Pechinsky, Class of 1937
-
- John Cena, Class of 1940
Here are the names of the other Peabody servicemen who were at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.
US Army
Alex Budeski, Michael Alexuk, Joseph Emilian, Leslie Rosignol, Frank Shea, Chester L. Chase, James Martin, William W. Horan, Harold A. Anderson, Charles George, Joseph Travers, William V. Regan, Jr., Jack Elliott, John Perufo and Sid Berlostock.
US Navy
Elbridge Kelley, Harold R. Green, John Maguire, Charles Kiernan, Martti E. Marky, Gordon Landry