Today is the day that, according to U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, “…will live in infamy.”

79 years ago, the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, was attacked by the Japanese, which prompted the United States to finally enter World War II.

The more time passes, the less you hear about Pearl Harbor, so I thought I’d bring up a hero you might not have heard about.

George Walters was a civilian crane operator, working next to the USS Pennsylvania battleship at Pearl Harbor.

He was 50 feet up in the crane when he saw Japanese planes approaching. He immediately alerted the sailors aboard the Pennsylvania.

He also started to swing the crane back and forth to shield the ship from the fighter planes. However, the sailors had a tough time seeing the planes since they were in dry dock. The water around them had been pumped out, dropping the deck view.

Walters then helped them out by using the crane’s boom to point out incoming Japanese planes. After a 500-pound bomb exploded nearby, Walters nearly fell from the damaged crane. Thankfully, he had just moved the crane in time to avoid a direct hit from the bomb, which left a 17-foot crater.

George Walters was credited for saving the ship. He continued to operate cranes until 1950 and retired in 1966.

We like to honor those who have served with courage and determination. I’m sure George didn’t think he’d be using his crane that day to shield a naval ship, but when the circumstances presented themselves, he rose to the challenge.

At Money & Clarity, we also understand there are unexpected developments when it comes to your finances. Maybe it’s a change in your employment before you were ready for it. Or perhaps it’s a health issue or someone in your family who needs financial help.

No matter the situation, know we’re here for you. Give us a call at 513-563-PLAN (7526) or book online for a no-obligation 15-minute conversation. We’ll be able to help you decide your next step.

Why not call now, while you’re thinking about it? Let’s preserve your financial freedom.

Regards,
Nikki Earley, CFP®