DENVER — A Pearl Harbor survivor from Colorado is making his first journey back since that fateful day in 1941 that thrust America into World War II. Lew Weltzer, 89, left DIA Tuesday, bound for Hawaii with his wife and several other veterans who served throughout the Pacific theater.
Joe Weinmeier was a flame thrower at Iwo Jima. “It was a terrible, terrible experience,” said Weinmeier. Weltzer was aboard the first ship to fire back at Japanese dive bombers during the attack on Dec. 7, 1941.
He is looking forward to walking aboard the USS Arizona this year on the 66th anniversary. His best friend, Michael Givazzo, died on the Arizona during the attack. “In the safe of the Arizona, Michael had an engagement ring. And after he got back, he told me he was going to propose to this gal from California,” said Weltzer.
Weltzer’s wife is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran herself. The group will attend commemorations this Friday. They plan to return to Colorado on Sunday.
