A Brush with the Enemy

On the morning of December 7, 1941, a surprise attack by the Imperial Japanese Navy struck Pearl Harbor, catching the U.S. Pacific Fleet completely off guard. While most stationed at the naval base never saw the enemy fleet responsible for launching the deadly assault, some sailors at sea unknowingly encountered part of the Japanese strike force before the attack. One such sailor was Sherwin Callander.

Aboard the auxiliary seaplane tender USS Wright (AV-1), Callander and his fellow crewmen were sailing towards Pearl Harbor when they passed an unidentified aircraft carrier on the open waters of the Pacific. With no visible national markings or flags, the carrier’s identity remained a mystery. At the time, there was no immediate reason for alarm, and the USS Wright continued on its course.

It wasn’t until the following morning, as distressing reports of the Pearl Harbor attack began circulating, that Callander realized the truth. The vessel they had passed was likely one of the Japanese aircraft carriers en route to launch the infamous surprise attack. By then, it was too late to act, and the USS Wright pressed forward to reach its devastated home port.

When the USS Wright arrived at Pearl Harbor on December 8, the harbor was still engulfed in flames. The wreckage of battleships littered the waters, and the smell of burning fuel and destruction lingered in the air. Callander and his shipmates were assigned the grim task of recovering debris and the remains of fallen sailors. Witnessing the horrific destruction firsthand, the 20-year-old sailor was deeply affected, fueling a deep-seated determination to serve in combat against the Japanese forces.

Instead of engaging in direct battle in the Pacific, Sherwin Callander’s service led him to another defining moment in World War II—D-Day. Volunteering for amphibious training, he became part of the Allied invasion force at Normandy. On June 6, 1944, Callander landed at Utah Beach, experiencing the chaos and intensity of the largest amphibious invasion in history. Unlike at Pearl Harbor, where he arrived a day too late, this time he was in the thick of battle, facing relentless enemy fire as the Allies pushed forward.

Despite missing the initial attack on Pearl Harbor, Callander remains a respected member of the Pearl Harbor survivor community. Over the years, he has returned to Pearl Harbor to honor those who perished and share his experiences with younger generations. He has also visited Normandy, commemorating the sacrifices made on D-Day, an event that defined his military service.

Now a veteran of two of World War II’s most historic moments, Sherwin Callander dedicates his time to educating others. Whether speaking to clubs, schools, or organizations, he ensures that the stories of Pearl Harbor and the Normandy invasion live on, reminding the world of the sacrifices made by those who fought for freedom.

His journey, from an unexpected encounter with the enemy to surviving the brutality of D-Day, is a testament to the resilience and courage of the Greatest Generation.