WWII Hero, USS Nevada Veteran Charles Sehe Dies at 101

The world lost one of its last living connections to some of the most defining moments in World War II last Sunday, November 3.

Charles Theodore Sehe, a legendary USS Nevada crew member, passed away at age 101 in Mankato, Minnesota.

With his passing, only one surviving sailor from the Nevada remains, marking the end of an era for a ship that stood at the forefront of history.

From Small-Town Illinois to the Battlefields of World War II

Born in Geneva, Illinois, on February 26, 1923, Charles Sehe didn’t initially set out for a life of war and heroism.

At 17, with his mother’s permission, he enlisted in the US Navy in 1940. Back then, as Sehe shared in a 2015 oral history interview, he couldn’t swim or shoot. But, obviously, fate had other plans for him. He found himself assigned to the USS Nevada (BB-36)—a battleship that would later become synonymous with resilience and courage—and served on the battleship from 1940 to 1946 as Sergeant First Class (SFC) 3/c.

Little did Sehe know that his life aboard the Nevada would forever tie him to some of the most pivotal battles in modern history. From the shocking attack on Pearl Harbor to the storming of Normandy on D-Day, and later the fierce invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa, Sehe bore witness to the full scope of war.

A Stunned Witness at Pearl Harbor

When the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor began on December 7, 1941, Sehe was just a teenager.

He recalled, in one account, rushing to his battle station on a searchlight platform, where he could do nothing but watch as chaos unfolded around him.

The Nevada was hit by one torpedo and multiple bombs, leaving Sehe and his fellow sailors scrambling to save lives and contain the devastation.

In later years, Sehe vividly recounted those harrowing moments. He described seeing wounded sailors covered in oil being pulled from burning waters and the grim task of recovering the dead.

“We didn’t join the Navy to fight a war,” he once said, quoted from Military.com. “We didn’t join the Navy to fight a war, we fought to live. I was a stunned witness to the last moment of peace in America and her first moment of war.”

His words capture the raw, unfiltered reality of serving in a conflict that transformed not only his life but the entire world.

A Legacy of Service Beyond the War

After the war, Sehe used the G.I. Bill to pursue higher education, earning a doctorate from the University of Iowa.

He went on to have a distinguished career as a professor of anatomy, zoology, and endocrinology, eventually retiring in 1990 from Mankato State University.

Even in his academic pursuits, Sehe’s thirst for knowledge was unquenchable. He studied multiple languages, including French, German, Russian, and Polish, always eager to learn something new.

But Sehe never forgot his time on the Nevada.

In his later years, he reflected deeply on the war, often pondering why some lived while others made the ultimate sacrifice.

His writings and interviews preserved the personal and collective memory of those dark days, ensuring that future generations could learn from his experiences.

The Lasting Bond with the USS Nevada

Although Sehe didn’t visit Nevada, the ship’s namesake state, until 2015, he always felt a profound connection to it.

He once remarked that Nevada was where he felt the “soul of the ship.” This bond speaks to the enduring legacy of the USS Nevada and the sailors who served aboard her.

The Nevada itself was a survivor, much like Sehe.

Commissioned in 1916, the battleship was a cornerstone of US naval power, weathering attacks and serving valiantly through two world wars. Its story mirrors the resilience and determination of those who manned it, especially during WWII.

Honoring the Greatest Generation

Sehe’s passing leaves Dick Ramsey, also 101, as the last surviving crew member of the Nevada.

For Ramsey, losing Sehe was not just the loss of a friend but the end of a shared chapter in their lives.

“He’s been a gentleman,” Ramsey said in an interview with Las Vegas Review-Journal on Monday. “And he will be missed.”

Retired Rear Adm. Samuel Cox, director of the Naval History and Heritage Command, aptly summed up Sehe’s legacy: “He was a member of the Greatest Generation that fought the bloodiest war in human history to put an end to fascism and imperial aggression.”

Sehe’s contributions didn’t end when he left the battlefield. His academic career, thirst for learning, and commitment to sharing his experiences ensured that his story—and the story of the USS Nevada—would live on.

A Life of Reflection and Impact

As Sehe once wrote, veterans often wonder why they were spared while others gave their lives.

“Was it fate, or would it be that a Supreme Being had allowed some of us to survive the tragic horrors of war?”
—Charles Sehe, World War II Veteran

It’s a question that haunted him, but it also drove him to honor those who didn’t make it back.

Charles Sehe lived a life filled with service, resilience, and reflection. From a teenager thrust into war to a respected academic and family man, his journey was extraordinary. His story serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by the Greatest Generation and the importance of preserving their legacy.

As we say goodbye to Sehe, we honor not just the man, but the values and courage he represented.