Pearl Harbor survivor and former Costa Mayor Jack Hammett has died at the age of 94, it was announced Saturday.
The death was announced by Costa Mesa Mayor Steve Mensinger, who praised Hammett for his dedication and vision.
“Jack was Mr. Costa Mesa,” Mensinger said on the city’s website. “His work ethic, leadership, humor and grace helped mold Costa Mesa over decades into the first-class city it is today. His passing is a sad day for our city, but his legacy will be with us forever.”
“Pearl Harbor survivor and former Mayor Jack Hammett passed this morning,” Mensinger posted on Hammett’s Facebook page Saturday afternoon. “Jack thank you for inspiring, serving and loving so many. I heard you loud and clear sir, Via con Dios!”
Hammett served as mayor of Costa Mesa from 1972 to 1974, according to the city’s website. His biography on the site, costamesaca.gov, says he joined the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce in 1961. The same year he joined the Costa Mesa Police Reserves and served for more than 20 years. He was on the city’s planning commission for seven years, was a city council member for eight years, and served two terms as vice mayor before becoming mayor.
The city’s sports complex is named after him.
Hammett was dedicated to keeping veterans’ stories of service alive for future generations.
He worked to that end as a member of the Freedom Committee of Orange County. The group’s “living history” presentations brought stories of war – in Hammett’s case, his experience at Pearl Harbor – to classrooms throughout Orange County.
He was a pharmacist’s mate at the naval hospital in Pearl Harbor when Japan attacked. He worked four consecutive days helping the wounded and tagging the dead. After 72 hours, he and a few friends walked outside to see what the harbor looked like.
“We cried like babies,” he told the Register in a 2013 story about his work with the Freedom Committee.
His story can be found on the committee’s website, fc-oc.org.
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