August 19, 2015 at 4:44 p.m.
Pearl Harbor survivor celebrates 97th birthday with Hawaiian-themed bash
Pearl Harbor survivor celebrates 97th birthday with Hawaiian-themed bash
By Nancy Cipollone-
Wendt is a long-time resident of Two Sisters Lake, the lake formerly known and still referred to as Black Lake. He grew up in one of the oldest, most well-known resort areas in the Northwoods - The Northern Woods Resort. Wendt's father ran the resort and the family resided in a cabin on the property.
After graduating from high school in 1939, Wendt joined the Navy as a chief machinist mate.
He was stationed in Hawaii on the USS Helena when Dec. 7, 1941 dawned.
"That morning, about a little before 8 a.m., I thought I would go and get breakfast before they quit serving and it was Sunday morning so you didn't have to do anything if you didn't want to, except the people who had to be on the ship. There were always four or five people on duty even on Sunday," he told a River News reporter in 2012.
Wendt never made it to the chow line.
"They announced over the loud speakers 'Japanese planes are attacking Ford Island' and the guy said 'and this is no (expletive deleted),'" Wendt said.
There was no time to think about anything but fighting back.
Wendt said his reaction was "just to get the guns manned and get as ready for (the enemy) as possible."
In a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time, the Helena was struck by a Japanese torpedo.
Wendt said the ship was moored in the 1010 dock where the USS Pennsylvania usually rested. The Pennsylvania was a big battleship and therefore an obvious target. But, in a twist of fate, it was in dry dock that day and the Helena was in its place.
Wendt may have been in the wrong place that morning but he survived without a scratch, likely in large part because of his and his crewmates' immediate "damage control" response.
That wasn't Wendt's only close call on the Helena. In 1943, the ship was bombed while in the Kula Golf.
It was eventually repaired and a crew was sent out to the Kula Golf again where the vessel was struck by a torpedo and sank. At the time, the ship was carrying 1,000 men and approximately 200 were lost.
In 1943, Wendt was stationed on the USS Houston, which was also hit by a torpedo. After the hit, Wendt stayed with the ship while it was being towed to the repair port, explained Judy Peter, Wendt's caregiver.
"It was the longest tow in Naval history and because of men like Walter they were able to repair it and get it back out in the water."
Wendt received the Bronze Star Medal from Admiral Halsey for his heroic efforts.
In 2012, Peter joined Wendt to attend the Old Glory Honor Flight "Return to Pearl." While in Honolulu, Wendt desired to do one thing while visiting the beach.
"All Walter wanted to do was swim in the water one more time," Peter said. "He was swimming in Waikiki Beach the Saturday before the bombing in 1941. So he did it, he swam in Waikiki Beach."
An emotional Peter explained that while they were at the beach she pushed his wheelchair along the pier and captured a moment with her camera as Wendt sat at the end of the pier looking at the water. Peter could almost read Wendt's thoughts as he was looking at the water. "His ship was at the bottom of the sea and they lost so many men," she said.
In 1945, Wendt was discharged from the Navy. He came home to the Northwoods and in 1956 he took over The Northwoods Resort. In 1972, Wendt married his wife, Ina, and they had a beautiful life together until she passed away in 1995. The couple did not have children.
"With no children, look at how many people have come to his birthday party," said Peter. Approximately 100 people attended the celebration in Wendt's honor. A Kalua pig roast, a method of cooking the pig underground, was prepared for the guests and there were many other Hawaiian-themed touches. "Banana leaves were flown in from Hawaii, everyone received a Hawaiian lei, and Polynesian dancers entertained guests," explained Peter.
Wendt spends quality time with his lifelong friend, Evelyn Perry, who is Judy Peter's mother. He currently lives on Wendt Road in Lake Tomahawk under the care of Judy Peter.
Nancy Cipollone may be reached via email at [email protected].
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