Brig. Gen. (Ret) Robert Hardaway, III, a member of the "Greatest Generation", returned to Hawaii to share his World War II survivor story with the Army's current generation of leaders, Dec. 5, 2014 and to relive the memories of the day that changed history forever.

Hardaway served as a ward officer on the surgical service, where he treated the first casualties of the attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941 at the then, North Sector General Hospital at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.

Schofield Barracks Health Clinic (SBHC) leaders held a ceremony in Hardaway's honor, presenting him with a photo album, a coin and a traditional Hawaiian lei.

During the ceremony, Hardaway recounted the moments of the attack and shared them with Soldiers, civilians and leaders in attendance.

"The ambulance came roaring in and I ran over and opened the back door and there were these poor Soldiers that were just blown apart. And I knew instantly that this was a war. The bullets were coming from everywhere. There must have been hundreds of bullets in the hospital. Most of them on my ward," said Hardaway.

When a total blackout was ordered, he performed life saving surgery under a blanket with flashlights, working 48-hours to care for over 100 Soldiers.

Following the ceremony, Hardaway toured the SBHC and said seeing the grounds once again brought a sense of relief. "I had feared the whole hospital had been levelled and replaced by a new clinic, but I was amazed and gratified that the original wards and headquarters have been preserved. That shows that the significance of the events that day were well understood and appreciated."

Hardaway also said as he walked the corridors of the SBHC today, he met with many staff, civilian and military who had a real sense of what their predecessors had experienced. "It was such a pleasure to see their enthusiasm and sincere regard for my role as a surviving representative of those who had worked through the attack so many years ago. These young staff today are worthy successors to that legacy," Hardaway said.

"When I look back on this trip, I will always remember the very touching ceremony in the clinic courtyard: the kind remarks, the interest shown by those present, and the opportunity to shake their hands afterwards-- a sort of passing on of history," he said.

Members of Hardaway's family were also in attendance during the ceremony, to include his daughter, who says she felt honored to see the appreciation and regard shown to her father for his contributions during the attack and its aftermath.

"Finally I can visualize the setting of all those stories--not just a few grainy black and white photos. I was so relieved to see the layout and appearance so faithfully preserved and restored. Even with the rehab equipment, I could envision the rows of beds packing his surgical ward that day. The whole experience was transforming for me, and I can't thank everyone enough for making it possible," said Joan Hardaway.

Col. Peter Eberhardt, SBHC Commander, says that having Hardaway's family at their clinic was an incredible event for staff. "What an awesome opportunity for our team to internalize what the Veterans from the attack went through, and how their actions directly shaped our future. Hearing the story first hand was extremely powerful and we were so happy we had the chance to salute the General and his family. Long overdue and extremely well deserved! What a great day to be an American and personally engage with living history and living heroes," said Eberhardt.

Hardaway was also a featured guest at the 73rd commemoration ceremony of the attack on Pearl Harbor, Dec. 7, 2014.

As the highest ranking survivor and a month shy of his 99th birthday, Hardaway represents the few servicemembers who are still alive today.

According to his bio, Hardaway also served as commander of William Beaumont Army Medical Center, in El Paso, Texas before retiring from the Army in 1975.