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Brothers in Arms
WWII Vet is welcomed into the Indiana Chapter of the Pearl Harbor Survivors.
Published by the Hendricks County Flyer February 23, 2009
By Brenda L. Holmes
INDIANAPOLIS: Chester Todor was serving on the USS West Virginia during the attack on Pearl Harbor.
He recently met several others who shared his World War II experience and was welcomed into the Indiana chapter of the Pearl Harbor Survivors.
“This is the most survivors I’ve ever met,” Todor said.
Todor, 88, resides at Westside Garden Plaza in Indianapolis. He said he didn’t know any other local survivors until a meeting was arranged.
“This is wonderful,” he said.
Todor enlisted in the U.S. Navy as an apprentice seaman in 1937. During his military career he served on board the USS West Virginia, USS Case, USS Jaguar, USS Adhara, USS Leyte, USS Noa and the USS Harry F. Bauer. He also served at the Newport News Naval Base in Newport News, VA; U.S. Naval Radio Station, Carolina, San Juan and Puerto Rico; U.S. Naval School; U.S. Naval Powder Factor, Indian Head, MD; U.S. Navy Mine Countermeasures, Panama City, FL; U.S. Naval Minecraft Base, Charleston, SC; and U.S. Naval Ammunition Depot, Crane, IN.
At the time of his honorable discharge in 1958, he was a chief gunner’s mate. He was qualified in special weapons disposal and explosive ordnance disposal.
“I’ve never heard of any other sailors around here,” Todor said. “Can you believe Pearl Harbor was 68 years ago?”
When the attack occurred, Todor said he had just returned to Hawaii after a three-week trip home to Indianapolis.
“I was just back from leave and had just returned from Long Beach,” he said. “I was a gunners mate.”
Todor was welcomed into the Pearl Harbor Survivors group by several members including Charles Allen and his wife, Betty.
“This is a great occasion,” Charles Allen said. “We’re honored to have lunch here at such a wonderful place.”
The Allens are still newlyweds. They’ve been married for just over five months.
“We met on a trip to the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., about four years ago,” Betty Allen said.
Bob Newkirk of Franklin is also a member of the Pearl Harbor Survivors who attended the luncheon.
“I’m the chairman for the Pearl Harbor Survivors of Indiana,” he said. “I was in the Army for 48 years. I was active duty for 36 years, getting out in (19)80.”
He then served in the U.S. Army Reserves for 12 years before retiring in 1992.
“I’ve had a family member in every war since the Revolutionary War,” he said. “I have about 12 or 13 cousins who were in WWII.”
The Pearl Harbor Survivors meet on the second Saturday of each month at Jonathan Byrd’s Cafeteria in Greenwood.
“They give us a nice little room in the back,” Newkirk said. “We invite anyone to come join us. Even the kids.”
He said the group has become almost like family.
“We check on each other all the time,” he said. “There are only 60 survivors left in Indiana and only about 25 of them can get out.”
Paul Kennedy made a presentation to Todor and gave him several pieces of information on the group, along with a hat that shows his membership.
“It’s been our pleasure to be here today and to welcome you to our organization,” Kennedy said.
He said the meeting was made possible by Bob Haverstick of the Never Too Late program. Haverstick partners with area long-term care facilities to find senior citizens who have wishes.
Haverstick learned Todor did not know any fellow survivors of the attack on Pearl Harbor and put him in contact with the Pearl Harbor Survivors association. He then bought them lunch and made travel arrangements for some members to visit Todor at Westside Garden Plaza.
