Pocono News Section

Local Pearl Harbor Survivor Dies

Local Pearl Harbor Survivor Dies - Wednesday, December 3, 2008 at 4:18PM EST

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, WYOMING COUNTY -- The county's last living survivor of the attack at Pearl Harbor passed away on Friday, two days after celebrating his 65th wedding anniversary. Ernest Winnie was born in Meshoppen and returned to Wyoming County after serving in the military from 1939 to 1943.

"He was very proud of serving his country, but he was not a man that wanted a lot of fanfare, as you might say. And this he's going to have, which he doesn't know," said Janet Winnie, joking about Ernie's story being on the news.

Ernie Winnie was in Hawaii on December 7, 1941, when the Japanese attacked.

"He was standing by a truck, and a bomb was right behind the truck," said Janet Winnie. "And it broke the strap on his helmet, and he was completely deaf for two weeks or more."

A couple years ago, a newspaper article claimed a different man from Wyoming County was the last living survivor, and it didn't mention Winnie. That's when Janet called the paper and another article was written about Winnie, and the people living near Tunkhannock learned of his role in history.

People knew him mainly for being Tunkhannock Borough's police chief for 12 years and working with the sheriff's department.

"He liked to help these teenagers that were heading for trouble," added Janet. "He liked to talk to them and keep them out of trouble. That was his greatest thing I think he did."

Winnie's family hopes he's remembered for his service to his country and community.

Visiting hours for Winnie will start at 9am on Thursday at the Sheldon-Kukuchka funeral home in Tunkhannock. The funeral service begins at 11am.