James Daniel Lancaster, one of the last living survivors of the Japanese attack on the USS Arizona in Pearl Harbor, turns 90 next month.

Lancaster, who lives in Johnston County, was honored for his service at a ceremony at the American Legion in Pine Level Wednesday.

When the Japanese bombed the USS Arizona on December 7, 1941, Lancaster was thrown off the ship.

"He started running to his gun which was at the front of the ship and he was blown into the water, which literally saved his life because he was not entombed in that ship," said his eldest daughter, Carol Lancaster.

She says her father then tried to help other crew members.

The ship sank within minutes. And more than 1,100 crew members died.

"He never really talked about being in the service that much. Never talked about Pearl Harbor or being blown off of not just one ship but two ships," she said.

Lancaster collected the history of her father's service in the Navy.

"I'm driven to do that because there are so many veterans this day and time that no one remembers anything about them, much less having an actual piece of history in your hand that you can look at," she said.

Lancaster eventually won many awards, including a purple heart.

And Wednesday, just before his 90th birthday, he was presented a flag that flew over the U.S. Capitol and honored by friends, family, and young sailors.

Some call him a hero.

But, "there's no hero about it," he said. "It was something I was supposed to do. It was my duty to do."

"He helped shape the way the Navy is today. And it's just a great honor to be here," said Brenda Muscella, who is currently serving in the Navy.

Lancaster had a few words for today's servicemen and women.

"They've got a big job to do. A big job ahead of them," he said.