Pearl Harbor survivor Jack Hammett drops flower petals in the water at the USS Arizona Memorial during a Pearl Harbor 71st anniversary commemoration ceremony in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, Dec. 7, 2012. The morning of Dec. 7, 1941, Japanese bombers staged a surprise attack on U.S. military forces in Hawaii. The day after the attack, before a joint session of Congress, President Franklin D. Roosevelt asked for a declaration of war against Japan and the U.S. officially entered World War II. Photo via MC3 Diana Quinlan [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Pearl Harbor survivor and former Costa Mayor Jack Hammett has passed away 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. The timing of his death was not immediately clear.

“Jack was Mr. Costa Mesa,” Mensinger said. “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.”

Hammett served as mayor of Costa Mesa from 1972-1974, according to the city’s website.

The city’s sports complex is named after him.

—City News Service

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