The world's second oldest Pearl Harbor survivor visited San Diego Sunday, where he spoke of his time in the war.
Lieutenant Jim Downing, 102, was the guest speaker at the Spirit of '45 event, held at the Veterans' Museum in Balboa Park.
The event is a way to keep the Spirit of '45 alive during a National Day of Remembrance to recall the U.S.' victory in World War II.
In his speech Lt. Downing talked about living through Pearl Harbor, and his duties after the attack.
As the USS West Virginia's Post Master, he had access to service members' addresses, so he went around to the injured who could speak and passed their messages along to family.
After the event, he said it was important for the U.S. to remain strong.
"Keep America strong. Remember Pearl Harbor," he said in an interview with NBC 7 San Diego after the event. "We dis-invite segregation. Whatever it takes, we've gotta be stronger than any other country so this will never happen again."
Local
While in San Diego, he will also speak to school-aged children.
Lt. Downing will be celebrating his 103rd birthday later this month.
