One of Habersham County’s most extraordinary residents will be honored on national television tonight as CBS News airs a special feature on Kenneth Karl Schubring Sr., a 103-year-old World War II veteran, Pearl Harbor survivor, and longtime community leader.
A CBS crew traveled to Schubring’s son’s home in Clarkesville to film the segment. The special airs tonight at 6:30 p.m. on CBS, bringing Schubring’s remarkable life story to audiences across the country.
A Survivor of Pearl Harbor
Born on June 28, 1922, in Manistique, Michigan, Schubring has lived a life marked by courage, service, and historic milestones. At 19 years old, he was stationed just five miles north of Pearl Harbor as a young airman in the U.S. Army Air Forces.
He had just finished night guard duty and was sitting down to breakfast when the attack began.
“Shortly before 8 a.m., an explosion shook our bunkers,” Schubring recalled. “Everyone rushed outside. The sky was full of Japanese bombers.”
He remembers the moment vividly—the green markings on the planes’ wings, the deafening engine noise, and the chaos that followed.
“When I realized what was going on, self-preservation set in,” he said. “It was everyone for himself.”
Schubring took cover in a roadside gutter until the attack ended. His barracks were destroyed. Around him lay devastation and loss.
First Day to the Last Day of WWII
Remarkably, Schubring also served in active combat on the last day of World War II. His unit was flying B-29 bombers on a mission over Osaka, Japan, when the announcement came that the emperor intended to surrender.
“It is a distinction to have been in active combat on the first and the last day of WWII,” Schubring said.
He would eventually become a first lieutenant and later a captain in the Retired Air Force Reserve.
A Life of Service After the War
After returning home, Schubring earned an MBA and continued serving his community. He spent two terms on the Athens-Clarke County Board of Education during the integration era of the early 1970s, serving as both president and vice president.
“I consider this to be one of my major accomplishments,” Schubring said about his leadership during a challenging and transformative time in Georgia’s educational history.
He also spent 18 years as a Rotary Club member, inspiring his daughter—former Brentwood mayor and commissioner Lee Crossley—to follow in his footsteps.
“My dad is a real-life hero. My favorite hero,” Crossley said.
A Highly Decorated Veteran
Schubring’s military honors reflect a lifetime of bravery and dedication. His awards include:
- Distinguished Flying Cross
- Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters
- Distinguished Unit Citation with oak leaf cluster
- Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with four battle stars
- American Defense Medal
- Pearl Harbor Commemorative Medal
- World War II Victory Medal
He has also traveled to Washington, D.C., as an Honor Flight participant.
A Life Still Celebrated Today
Now living in Clarkesville at age 104, Schubring continues to inspire those around him. For his 100th birthday, the Atlanta Braves honored him with a special celebration, inviting his entire family to a game and preparing a tribute video and flyover in his honor.
Tonight, his story reaches a national stage again.
Residents of Habersham County and beyond can tune in at 6:30 p.m. on CBS to watch the feature recognizing one of America’s last living Pearl Harbor survivors—and a man whose life of service continues to touch countless people.
December 5th
Ken Schubring, Sr. will also be on the Atlanta news tomorrow at 8:45 a.m.
