Brooklyn Native Ambushed In Pearl Harbor Attack Recalls Fighting Back: 'I Did What I Had To Do'
EAST MEADOW, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- When Japanese planes attacked the United States fleet based in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii 75 years ago, thousands of men and women bravely fought back and helped saved many lives.
Then-17-year-old Brooklyn native Gerard Barbosa was among the sailors caught off guard on Dec. 7, 1941.
"I heard an explosion and thought I felt the ship sort of lift out of the water," Barbosa told CBS2's Ali Bauman.
Barbosa's ship, the U.S.S. Raleigh, had been torpedoed and was in danger of sinking.
As Japanese pilots made their way toward him with machine guns, Barbosa raced to the deckside artillery gun he commanded. A trembling mate asked him if he was scared.
"I said, 'All I want to know is you better have enough ammunition for me to fire on the plane," he recalled.
Barbosa and others shot down dozens of planes, but the coordinated attacked killed 2,400 and left the U.S. fleet crippled.
He received numerous medals for his bravery, not just on that historic day, but another as well.
"When we went into Normandy, the Germans had that completely covered," he said.
Three years after Pearl Harbor, Barbosa joined the massive D-Day invasion launched on France's beaches. He slogged ashore, facing heavy fire from the Germans.
"The poor guys who had to hit the beach didn't have a chance, especially the soldiers."
Ultimately, the beach landing succeeded and the U.S. went on to victory against both Japan and Germany.
Barbosa has received honors from Congressmen and even the French Legion of Honor. But predictably, he said he was just doing his duty.
"You're trying to make me a hero. I'm not a hero, I did what I had to do," he told Bauman.
After the war, Barbosa moved to Long Island with his wide, Marie, where they raised to children.
Long retired but still very fit, he said for him the lesson of Pearl Harbor was about surviving disasters to cherish the good things in life.
He said he often visits middle schools to make sure the next generation learns the true story of World War II.