Eighty years ago, Ed Johann helped rescue scores of his fellow sailors when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, hauling wounded men to the hospital ship while dodging enemy fire.
Just 17 at the time, Johann said that was the day he turned from a “boy sailor to a man.”
He earned the U.S. Navy Commendation Medal of Valor for his heroics and served precisely “four years, one month and eight days” in the Navy.
After leaving the Navy, Johann went on to volunteer for Oregon Search and Rescue, worked for the Portland Fire Department for 27 years “saving lives and property” and was a member of the Mazamas, a mountain hiking club through which he gave guided tours to the public, including, at one point, four blind children.