Friday, Dec. 7 marked the 82nd anniversary of the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor, off the coast of the Hawaiian island of Oahu, prompting the U.S.’s formal entry into World War II. To commemorate the anniversary, the Peabody Historical Society and Museum examined the city’s connection to that fateful day.
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 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. His name may sound familiar, as he ran the popular Tanner City Fencers.
Dr. John Cena gave an interview to the Peabody Veterans Oral History project in 2003.
Here are the names of the other Peabody servicemen who were at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 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
