National

WWII vet gets special trip to see ship he served on during Pearl Harbor

BALTIMORE — For Howard Hayes, walking onto the deck of the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Taney is like a homecoming.

At the age of 96, Hayes is the last surviving member of the ship that went through the battle at Pearl Harbor.

Just 21 then, Hayes was serving as the ship's cook when the Japanese forces began bombing the fleet in Hawaii.

Hayes was stationed on the ship’s mast the day of the attack.

"When the Japanese planes came over us and the power plant, they didn't know we were there," Hayes said. "I gave the range and how high they were and surprised the Japanese so much they didn't have a chance to do anything,"

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A lifetime later, Hayes now lives in Nevada. Friday, he was able to step back on board the Taney, which is now stationed in Baltimore, with the help of Honor Flight Nevada.

The ship was in service for 50 years and now receives thousands of tourist each year.

For Hayes though, the trip back into the past meant something more.

"I just wanted to see it one more time," Hayes said.

"It is so heartwarming," Shirley Wetmore,

. "This is his No. 1 wish on his bucket list, and to be able to actually see this ship again, it makes me so happy.