(ReclaimingAmerica.net) – The nation has lost another American hero with the passing of Jessie A. Mahaffey at 102, which is more than just the end of a remarkable personal journey.
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As one of the last survivors of the USS Oklahoma tragedy during the Pearl Harbor attack in 1941, Mahaffey’s memory serves as a living testament to the courage and tenacity displayed on that fateful day.
On December 7, 1941, Mahaffey, a fresh Navy recruit, faced one of history’s most pivotal moments.
That morning, Japanese forces launched a surprise attack on the American naval base at Pearl Harbor, sinking the USS Oklahoma and killing 429 crew members.
Mahaffey had been preparing for a routine inspection when chaos erupted.
As the ship was struck by five torpedoes and capsized, Mahaffey described the event as “it was crazy” for what felt like a mere 45 minutes but was an eternity of upheaval.
Quick decisions and resilience defined Mahaffey’s escape. He slid into the water, initially landing on the ship’s bottom before swimming to safety aboard the USS Maryland.
His survival spirit continued as he later served on the USS Northampton, enduring another sinking during the Battle of Tassafaronga in 1942.
Mahaffey and his fellow soldiers spent an anxious night on rafts before being rescued.
“It turned upside down and we had to slide over the bottom of the ship into the water,” Jessie A. Mahaffey recalled, cited by Stripes.
Jessie Mahaffey’s naval heroism extended beyond Pearl Harbor.
He later fought in the deadly Battle of Iwo Jima, another significant World War II confrontation.
After the war ended in 1945, Mahaffey traded navy blue for civilian attire, dedicating 30 years to working for Southwestern Bell’s phone company in Louisiana before settling in Many—a place he loved for its warmth and community spirit.
His personal life was as full as his service was storied. Mahaffey was preceded in death by his wife, Joyce, and is survived by two sons.
A pillar in his community, he celebrated his centennial birthday in 2022, marking his life’s milestones with family and friends.
The community of Many, Louisiana, will gather to honor Mahaffey at his funeral on March 8.
“Finishing school in 11th grade. That was a highlight. Joining the Navy. That was a highlight. Had two ships that were sunk. The first one right there at Pearl Harbor, and the second one was in the south pacific, but I made it okay though,” Mahaffey once said.
As we bid farewell to Jessie A. Mahaffey, we are reminded of the dwindling number of World War II veterans.
Only 14 Pearl Harbor veterans remain, with just two from the USS Oklahoma still alive.
Mahaffey’s legacy is a solemn call to remember these brave souls and the sacrifices they made to guarantee the freedoms we enjoy today.
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