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It made national news when 106-year-old Vaughn P. Drake Jr., believed to be the oldest and one of few remaining survivors of the attack on Pearl Harbor, passed away on April 7.      

In Winchester, many gathered on Wednesday to remember the veteran. 

Following a two-hour visitation in Lexington, a graveside cemetery took place at Winchester Cemetery – where Drake will be laid to rest. 

“People do not understand what this man sacrificed for our country,” said John Babcock of Patriot Guard Riders, who helped lead the funeral procession. “He’s highly, highly decorated and has the love and respect of everyone.”     

In 1941, the 23-year-old Drake was a member of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers stationed at Pearl Harbor. 

On December 7, when Japanese forces now-infamously attacked the military base, Drake – as recalled in prior interviews – acknowledged that he and fellow soldiers initially mistook the attack for the Army Air Corps undertaking practice maneuvers.   

However, realization soon dawned upon them when they saw red dots on the wings of the plane, consistent with the red dot on the white Japanese flag. 

An NBC news article mentioned that, within a short time, an officer began to yell out ‘This is an attack! The Japanese are attacking the whole island!’

Following the attack at Pearl Harbor that claimed the lives of over 2,000 U.S. military members, Drake continued his military service, which included witnessing the Battle of Saipan. 

Afterward, he attended the University of Kentucky College of Engineering, and worked as a registered professional engineer for over fifty years. 

He retired from the General Telephone Company in 1981 as a valuation engineering manager after thirty-six years of employment. 

Drake also designed and supervised construction of all underground telephone conduit placed in Lexington, Morehead, and Ashland during the 1940s and 1950s, and authored the GTE Manual “Conduit Engineering for Telephone Engineers.”                

On Wednesday, following the aforementioned two-hour visitation, a hearse carrying Mr. Drake was taken to Winchester Cemetery with members of Patriot Guard Riders leading the way. 

The 3:00 p.m. outdoor service – taking place at the Asa Glenn White Shelter – included members of the Honor Guard of American Legion Post 8, led by Commander Glen Datillo. 

“We just come out and make sure we present the honors in the best way we can,” he said. 

When speaking of performing at military funerals, Datillo elaborated. 

“They’ve earned it,” Datillo said. “They’ve spent time…in the service. Who knows what hardships they’ve endured, and we just think they deserve the honors.” 

Following the unloading of Mr. Drake’s casket, several actions took place. 

Among them was a three-volley salute led by the American Legion, with three volley shell casings representing duty, honor, and country later provided to Mr. Drake’s family. 

While a live bugler played “TAPS”, another member of the Legion played different songs on harmonica – notably “The Army Goes Rolling Along”, recognized as the official song of the United States Army. 

Certainly not least, two members of the Kentucky Army National Guard folded the American flag that draped Mr. Drake’s casket and – while presenting it to family – also provided the following honorary words commonly associated with military funerals: “On behalf of the president of the United States, the United States Army and a grateful nation, please accept this flag as a symbol of our appreciation for your loved one’s honorable and faithful service.” 

Reflecting on the significance of playing a part in Mr. Drake’s funeral service, some additional words were provided. 

“This is one of the most important missions we’ve ever been on,” said Babcock, who offered insight to Drake’s son following the service. “I asked him if he would look at the trees and look at the [thirteen] flags. I asked him, ‘Did [you] see the wind moving the flags?’ He said, ‘yes.’ I explained to him [that] that’s not the wind. That’s all the heroes that have gone before him with their breath blowing and saying, ‘Welcome home. Your mission is done.’” 

Drake is survived by a son, Sam W. Drake, as well as two grandsons and three great grandchildren. 

He was predeceased by two sisters, as well as Lina Wilson Drake – his wife of 65 years. 

Drake’s military accomplishments also include receiving the Congressional Medal for the Veterans of Pearl Harbor, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the American Defense Medal with Foreign Service bar, the Asiatic-Pacific Medal with two battle stars, and the World War II Victory Medal, and he was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), former member of the Society of American Military Engineers, and life member of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association.