Richard C. Higgins, One of the last survivors of the attack on Pearl Harbor, passed away at 102

Richard C. Higgins was a radioman stationed at Pearl Harbor at the time the Japanese attacked this Hawaiian base in 1941. On Wednesday, his granddaughter informed the media about his death at 102.

Higgins' granddaughter, Angela Norton, said he passed away on Tuesday of natural causes at his home in Bend, Oregon. In 1941, he was assigned to a patrol squadron of seaplanes in Pearl Harbor.

On December 7, 1941, Japanese planes suddenly dropped a bomb on the Hawaiian military base, which forced the United States to declare war on Japan and join the global conflict of World War II. That attack killed more than 2,400 American soldiers, and Higgins was one of the last living survivors.

In 2008, in an interview with the National Museum of the Pacific War in Fredericksburg, Texas. he told about his memories and feelings from the moment of the Japanese attack. "I jumped out of my bunk, and I ran over to the edge of the lanai, and just as I got there, a plane went right over the barracks."

"Gramps went home to be with Jesus this morning. He was a humble, generous, funny and loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend. This community has celebrated and honored him and we are forever grateful for the impact he has made on all of us. At 102 years old, we have lost a precious part of history but because of his belief in Jesus we know that this is not the end. We can’t wait to see you again. Always and forever, we love you Gramps," wrote Higgins' family on the Instagram account dedicated to him.

Sources: CBS News, The New York Times