Minnesotans honored on 75th anniversary of Pearl Harbor attack

It had all the trappings of a solemn military ceremony. A brass band played patriotic music. There were speeches from dignitaries. Two trumpeters played "Taps." There were a moment of silence and a traditional rifle salute.

But it was Richard Thill and Victor Paradis who brought the Minnesota History Center crowd to rapt attention. Both men were at Pearl Harbor the day it was attacked.

Twenty-seven military members from Minnesota died in a barrage that lasted less than two hours. They were among 2,403 sailors, soldiers, airmen, marines and civilians killed in the attack.

On the stage of the Minnesota History Center in St. Paul 75 years later, Thill, in a shiny blue coat with patches telling the tale of his military honors, shared his account of that day.

He was on the U.S.S. Ward with buddies from back in St. Paul when Japanese submarines and airplanes moved toward the harbor. The Ward's new captain decided against ramming the midget submarine, so Thill and the others took their gun stations.

"Then he gave us orders over the phone to fire when you're ready," he said

Those early shots missed because the sub was too close. But those were considered the first U.S. shots in a new Pacific War, and the nation's entrance into World War Two. One of the battleship's giant mounted guns still sits as a memorial on the Minnesota Capitol grounds.

Eventually, shots did land. And the submarine was sunk.

"I'm so proud to say, I am so glad to be one of the many people who served from St. Paul and from Minnesota, too," Thill said.

Paradis was at the Pearl Harbor submarine base that day. He was getting ready to help hoist flags at precisely 8 a.m., as was custom. As a flag moved up the pole, he saw the Japanese onslaught coming.

"I never did see the flag go to the top of the pole because the planes came in at five minutes before eight. And it seemed like the sky was full of planes," he told the history center audience. "They carried out their attack on the battleships, but they never, never ever, ever touched the submarine base. We were very fortunate on that condition."

Each man was handed a framed proclamation of gratitude from Gov. Mark Dayton. And both received standing ovations and salutes from the audience. Thill grew teary but held his salute when the brass band played "Anchors Aweigh," the official song of the Navy.

When it came time to tell his story, his voice was clear.

"I'm not used to speaking like this," he said, "but I'll give it my best shot, like we did at Pearl Harbor."