Governor, crew member celebrate centennial of USS Nevada’s commissioning

CARSON CITY — Gov. Brian Sandoval and Charles Sehe, who served on the USS Nevada from before Pearl Harbor through World War II, celebrated the centennial of the commissioning of the famed battleship at a ceremony Friday.

Looking fwd to today's centennial ceremony honoring the 100th anniversary of the USS #Nevada. #BattleBorn pic.twitter.com/uEndDQ9UvA

— Governor Sandoval (@GovSandoval) March 11, 2016

Sehe, 93, of Mankato, Minnesota, was honored for his service by Sandoval and other speakers in the hourlong ceremony in the Old Assembly Chambers in the state Capitol building.

100 years ago today, our state's namesake battleship, the USS #Nevada was christened. #AllForOurCountry pic.twitter.com/4F5ckQwZTf

— Governor Sandoval (@GovSandoval) March 11, 2016

The ship was christened on March 11, 1916, at the Charleston Navy Yard in South Carolina.

Sehe was 18 on Dec. 7, 1941, serving aboard the battleship when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and pushed the U.S. into World War II. It was the only battleship to get underway during the attack and later returned to duty, including providing gun support during the Normandy Invasion at Utah Beach on June 6, 1944.

Battleship #Nevada saw action in WWI & WWII & was 1st Super Dreadnought class ship in @USNavy, the only ship at both Pearl Harbor & Normandy

— Governor Sandoval (@GovSandoval) March 11, 2016

Sehe was there for it all, including its service at Iwo Jima and Okinawa, where the Nevada withstood a kamikaze attack that saw 12 crew members killed.

Honored to have Mr. Charles Sehe w/ us, who was 18 when he served on the USS #Nevada at Pearl Harbor. #BattleBorn pic.twitter.com/ajNup0hNxQ

— Governor Sandoval (@GovSandoval) March 11, 2016

“She fed me, she clothed me and she protected me,” Sehe said in his remarks. “They should have saved her.”

Sehe said the Nevada had the best gunners in the Navy.

Mr. Charles Sehe, Pearl Harbor hero and USS #Nevada sailor, shared his inspiring story w/ us during today's ceremony pic.twitter.com/75hXc54S3h

— Governor Sandoval (@GovSandoval) March 11, 2016

He visited Nevada for the first time last year to see some of the relics from the battleship housed in Carson City, including the ship’s wheel that is on display in Sandoval’s office.

Sehe, who was only 17 when he enlisted, saw some of his shipmates die when the nearby battleship USS Arizona exploded during the Pearl Harbor attack.

He had just finished breakfast aboard the Nevada about 8 a.m. when the first aerial torpedo hit. He rushed to his battle station high on one of the ship’s masts and saw firsthand the destruction that killed 60 crew members and 2,403 Americans in total.

Sehe survived the carnage of World War II, and he has outlasted the Nevada as well.

After the war, it was used as a target for nuclear tests at Bikini Atoll, but it did not sink. It was finally sunk intentionally off Hawaii in 1948. Its exact location is unknown.

Proudly honoring the history & heritage of our namesake battleship, the USS #Nevada, and all who served. #BattleBorn pic.twitter.com/hMFnWyHhv7

— Governor Sandoval (@GovSandoval) March 11, 2016

Sehe used the GI Bill after the war to earn three college degrees including a doctorate. He taught and did research at different colleges and universities, retiring after 43 years as professor emeritus from Mankato State University in 1990.

Contact Sean Whaley at swhaley@reviewjournal.com or 775-461-3820. Find him on Twitter: @seanw801