68 years later, a Pearl Harbor veteran passes on his memories to a new generation

Dale Coultas, age 29, returned on a small "return boat" from the docks of Pearl City to his destroyer, the USS Ramsey which contained 100 mines and some depth charges. Dale had just had the day off in town and returned to his ship anchored near the northern point of the harbor. He had the twelve to eight o'clock shift that night working in the engine room keeping the engines ready and running.

Shortly after his shift ended at eight, Dale sat down in the bunk room lined with beds and a table in the middle for meals. All of the sailors waited for their food to come down the stairs with the cook. It a few minutes past eight, when Dale said he heard three loud bangs. "Bang. Bang. Bang."

Dale Coultas said his and the other sailor's initial thoughts were, "Why are they testing the guns on Sunday? They never test the guns on a Sunday."

As they were thinking this, the cook tumbled down the stairs with the trays of milk, fried eggs and oatmeal spilling everywhere. "The airbase is on fire! Airbase is on fire!"

The sailors scrambled their way up the slippery stairs-covered with the ruined breakfast all had forgotten about. The sailors looked across the water upon the airbase, seeing it aflame. They spotted a plane flying from the north towards the plane hangars. The sailors, still unaware the any attack occurred, figured the plane was coming to drop water on the uproar occurring at the airbase.

"It dropped some blasts on the hangars and then turned away, and it was then when some of the men noticed the red balls on the wings." Dale said.

That the airbase was turning into rubble before their eyes was no accident. The captain took charge. They were getting out of there. Dale returned to the engine room and pulled up the anchor.

Unable to help the ships under attack, the USS Ramsey continued out of the harbor following another ship in front of them. On board the other ship was an admiral and by use of flashes with mirrors, the admiral ordered the Ramsey to go back to the mouth of the harbor and make "easy eight".

Dale said, "An easy-eight meant we were to do a figure-eight at the mouth of the harbor so as to protect it from any subs or enemy from entering."

After seven days protecting the harbor, the Ramsey was finally relieved from their station by another ship. They sailed back into the harbor where the remaining ships were anchored. After not knowing anything of the happenings inside, due to the cutting of the radio lines, the captain gathered the crew. "Those sons of b*****s got us."

Overall, the losses were devastating. Three cruisers, three destroyers, and one minelayer were sunk. In total, 188 aircraft destroyed, and personnel losses totaled 2,402 killed and 1,282 wounded.

So who is Dale Coultas today? Coultas continued in the navy for many years, even after his marriage being away from his precious children and wife Nina. Even though the war ended, he served on different battleships and for the United States government for many years following the tragedy.

His wife, Nina Coultas, said, "For the longest time I thought I had the hard job of staying home and watching and caring of our children. Then I realized he was the one who had it the hardest. He was the one that was away from those he loved."

Dale Coultas served his country for years on end, despite living away from his family, despite probably being able to find a higher paid job, and despite having his life in danger on many circumstances. Dale Coultas still recalls Pearl Harbor as clear as day. It is an occurrence that will be ever ingrained in his mind. It is one of those experiences that changed who he is in ways that even he can not explain.

Pearl Harbor Day is a day that we should all take to remember and thank those similar to Dale, who sacrificed their life and time for our country. Dale now lives in his beautiful home on the bank of the Methow River with his wife Nina. He enjoys the changes in weather, watching the wildlife come abounding near the river, and orating his story of Pearl Harbor.

"He is a kind man, having lived a life full of adventure, serving his country on the battlefront, and then achieving success in succeeding ventures throughout life." said Keith Stennes, nearby neighbor of Dale Coultas. "He had three full careers beginning his third totally unique venture at age 65."

Understandably, many veterans become hardened through circumstances such as these, and will never speak of their happening. Many never move past the tragedy. However, Dale Coultas plugged along at life having gone through three diverse careers by the age of 65. Every year, he enjoys retelling his story for younger generations to remember and cherish.