Joe Sweeney in his Navy uniform
LA CROSSE, Wisconsin (WXOW) - It was 72-years ago Saturday that the Japanese invaded Pearl Harbor launching the United States into World War II.
La Crosse resident Joe Sweeney was there. The 93-year-old is a retired Navy sailor. Joe was stationed on the USS Whitney, docked near the USS Arizona in battleship row. Although it's been seven decades since the attack, Joe says he remembers December 7, 1941 like it was yesterday.
"I remember seeing light under the Arizona. We were wondering what kind of ammunition did these characters use? And, it turns out they hit the front ammunition hole."
In June of 2012, Joe and 18 other Wisconsin survivors of the attack on Pearl Harbor traveled back to Hawaii on a special Honor Flight. It was a story we brought you in our special report "Return to Pearl Harbor."
