Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Gabrielle Joyner | 150610-N-WC566-149 PEARL HARBOR (June 10, 2015) The family members of Pearl Harbor...... read more read more
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PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii - The ashes of Pearl Harbor survivor Boatswain’s Mate 1st Class Michael Elkovics (retired) were laid to rest in the surrounding waters of the USS Utah Memorial on Ford Island, Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam (JBPHH), June 10.
In attendance were three of Elkovics’ grandsons, Michael, Brad, and Jason as well as their spouses, children and family friends. Jim Taylor, Pearl Harbor survivor liaison, gave remarks and Cmdr. George Mendez, command chaplain of JBPHH, provided the benediction.
“It was my grandfather’s wish to rest here and as the oldest grandson, I wanted to make sure everything was the way he wanted it,” said Elkovics’ grandson, Robert Bradley Smith. “I was honored that I was here and that he was able to be here, and I appreciate the Navy for the opportunity.”
Elkovics was born Nov. 14, 1921 in Morristown, N.J. He joined the U.S. Navy in August 1940. He served on the Cruiser USS St. Louis, which was docked in the shipyard on the morning of Dec. 7. St. Louis had just arrived at Pearl Harbor three or four days prior.
According to Taylor, who told the story of that fateful morning, Michael was doing his laundry when the attack started. St. Louis was the first large ship to get out of the harbor that fateful morning.
“They [USS St. Louis] were credited with shooting down three Japanese planes that day,” said Taylor. “Michael stayed on the gun for three days in anticipation of follow-up battles while the ship was at sea.”
Elkovics also served aboard the USS Mt. Olympus and the USS Magoffin during his Navy career. The USS St. Louis earned 11 battle stars and Elkovics earned several honors for his service in the U.S. Navy. He died Dec. 13, 2013 at the age of 93.
“Michael probably would have said he was not a hero, he was just doing his job,” said Taylor. “He would probably have said the real heroes are those that didn’t make it home. I personally disagree; Michael was indeed a hero.”
Michael Jason Smith, Elkovics' grandson who also served in the U.S. Navy, reminisced about times he had with his grandfather.
“His stories and his life were the ones that shaped my own,” said Jason Smith. “We had similar personalities. I’m glad I was able to say my goodbyes to him.”
| Date Taken: | 06.10.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 06.10.2015 23:44 |
| Story ID: | 166222 |
| Location: | PEARL HARBOR, HAWAII, US |
| Web Views: | 211 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
This work, Pearl Harbor survivor returns to Hawaii to rest at USS Utah Memorial, by PO2 Gabrielle Joyner, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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