1959 - EXPANSION In December of 1959, Raymond LeBer and James Tanneyhill were unable to attend, but the remaining original nine attended along with newcomers Ray Brown, Frank Gilland, Frank Shilling, Mike Kotsmith and Marion Bradley, bringing the attendance to fourteen survivors. Now deciding to organize, the group elected Mike Kotsmith President. Feeling that others would want to join them in perpetuating the remembrance of Pearl Harbor, these fourteen agreed to seek out more survivors. With the words "Remember Pearl Harbor" as their emblem and purpose, the group set to work. On these foundations, and with but one thing in common - "we were there" the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association came into being. Sam's dream had become a reality.

1960 - NATION-WIDE But how to reach more survivors, to ask them to join in the yearly memorial? In February of 1960, survivor Howard Dailey placed a publicity item in the National VFW magazine, calling for Pearl Harbor survivors to write to him. Response was overwhelming - over one thousand letters poured in from every corner of the nation. A national organization! It became apparent to the California group that the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association could and must be expanded to include all military survivors of the Day of Infamy, clear across the country. But setting up a nation-wide veteran's organization would take time and work. A Constitution and By-Laws would have to be drawn up. Paper work and record keeping would be voluminous. They would need much help. And help came - timely and enthusiastically - not only from their own California ranks, but from names they had never heard of, men they had never met. Help came from Ohio, in the person of Joseph Tokar, who had also been working on his own along the lines of the California group. Joe wrote to Howard Dailey, sending him hundreds of names he had already collected of men who were anxious to form a survivors association. He began working with Howard by phone and by mail, offering many new feasible ideas. Joe's own dream was a 25th reunion at Pearl, and a grave marker for every known deceased survivor. And so now, with the aid and encouragement of men like Joe Tokar of Ohio, along with the inspiration of their new goal of going national, the PHSA became a living force of dedication to the memory of those who were there. The framework for a national organization was set into operation and a national office was established at 9622 Southwestern Ave., Los Angeles, Calif. A Constitution and By-Laws committee was formed, consisting of James Daw, Chairman, and members Roy Henry, Dan McCarthy, Ed Steffa and William Robinson. At their December 7th, 1960 meeting, the members began making plans for their first National Convention to be held the following year, and national officers were elected as follows: Mark Ferris, President Ed Steffa, Vice-President George Schaffer, Secretary Sam Kronberger, Treasurer

1961 - FIRST NATIONAL CONVENTION All during the months of 1961, members, committees and officers worked long and devotedly toward making the forthcoming convention a memorable occasion. During these same months, the search for survivors everywhere continued. Chapters were being formed under the leadership of appointed state chairmen and regional coordinators. Incorporation proceedings were begun, and a seal under the state of California was issued as of December 4, 1961. INCORPORATION OF PEARL HARBOR SURVIVORS ASSOCIATION (Filed December 1, 1961, in the office of the secretary of state of California, #424301). The names and addresses of the persons who are to act in the capacity of directors until the selection of their successors and who shall be known as directors are: Mark Ferris, Playa del Rey, Calif. George Schaffer, Artesia, Calif. Raymond D. Bowman, Los Angeles, Calif. Howard F. Dailey, Manhattan Beach, Calif. Clarence E. Bonn, Gardena, Calif. James S. Daw, Los Angeles, Calif. Marlon D. Bradley, Los Angeles, Calif. In witness whereof, the persons who are to act in the capacity of first directors of the corporation have hereunto set their hands this 8th day of September, 1961. Signed by: Mark Ferris George Schaffer Raymond Bowman Marlon D. Bradley Howard Dailey Clarence Bonn James Daw Lewis P. Smith Notarized by Martin J. Munson Notary Public in and for the county of Los Angeles, state of California. Stationery bearing the collective mark, or insignia, of the Association was first used as of December 5th, 1961, address 9622 Southwestern Ave., Los Angeles, Calif. PHSA was moving ahead - but still, only in its infancy. Thousands of survivors were yet to be located. Impact and strength would be gained only if the December 7th, 1961 national convention was successful. Disneyland, Anaheim, California. December 7, 1961. The 20th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Three hundred survivors in attendance, to remember, to pay homage to the dead, and to dedicate themselves anew to the goals of the PHSA. The fine objectives of PHSA brought hearty endorsement from the late President Kennedy, and he sent to the 1961 convention his message of congratulations and best wishes for the success of the organization. National colors for the National Office were donated at this time by VFW Post #3261, of Gardena, California, of which Sam Kronberger had been a member. A fitting tribute to Sam, who regrettably had passed away only months before the 1961 convention. Member Dan McCarthy donated National's Pearl Harbor Flag. Officers elected at this convention were: President, Mark Ferris lst Vice President, James Daw 2nd Vice President, Clarence Bonn Secretary, George Schaffer Treasurer, Raymond Bowman Historian, Howard Dailey Inspired and reassured by the success of the 1961 convention, the members and officers of PHSA embarked upon next year's projects.

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