At 104, Local Pearl Harbor Survivor Frank Emond Breaks His Own World Record

May 31, 2022

Pearl Harbor survivor Frank Emond of Cantonment, age 104, broke his own world record Monday.

Emond held the Guinness World Record as “World’s Oldest Conductor” for leading  the U.S. Air Force Band’s Airmen of Note in Glenn Miller’s iconic “In the Mood” at the American Veteran Center’s “America Valor: A Salute to our Heroes”. He set the previous record at age 103 last November in Washington, D.C.

Monday night, he led the Pensacola Civic Band in the seventh annual Pensacola Memorial Day Concert at the Community Maritime Park amphitheater.

“I’m so happy that I’m still able to do this. It was my life’s work conducting, so once or twice a year when I get a chance, it’s always good,” Emond said. “I’m real happy I still have the physical strength to do this.”

Related: Local Pearl Harbor Survivor Frank Emond Turns 104

Originally from Rhode Island, Emond enlisted in the Navy in 1938 as a musician. He played the French horn for the ship’s band and even got to perform at the 1939 World’s Fair in New York before he was assigned to the USS Emond, CWO4 USN (RET.), spent his naval career as a musician and band director. He was on the stern of the USS Pennsylvania (BB-38) getting ready to play morning “Colors” on his French horn when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Emond then walked to the conductor’s stand, picked up the baton and proceeded to direct the band in “Stars and Stripes”.

After seven years of playing horn, he became a Navy bandleader, retiring in 1968.

He remained a music man; sometimes leading the music at Gonzalez Methodist  and performing with the Pensacola Civic Band.

Pictured: At 104, Pearl Harbor survivor Frank Emond of Cantonment broke his own Guinness World Record as “World’s Oldest Conductor” Monday at the Pensacola Memorial Day Concert. Images courtesy WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.


Comments

16 Responses to “At 104, Local Pearl Harbor Survivor Frank Emond Breaks His Own World Record”

  1. Jin Edenfield on December 11th, 2022 8:49 pm

    An American Superhero! Thank you for your Service and Sacrifice for our Country! We are Looking forward to your 105th Birthday!

  2. Randy & Teri Graves on August 3rd, 2022 10:10 pm

    Congratulations, Sir, you are an American treasure. You more than many know how precious our freedom is. Thank you for your service. God bless and keep you!!

  3. JC & Lora Whitney on July 14th, 2022 12:14 am

    Congratulations Mr. Frank. My wife and I had the honor and privilege of sharing lunch with you when you visited Clarksville, TN during the Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Celebration a few years back. I think then you were a “Young 101″!!. I am a 25 year Army veteran and I salute you for your service and your longevity. Keep on “Keeping On” and please come visit our city again.
    JC & Lora Whitney

  4. Hal Hessler on June 24th, 2022 12:34 pm

    Congratulations on another milestone, Mr. Emond. I had the privilege of working for you at the Navy School of Music, and again while you were the leader of the Pensacola Navy Band. Here’s to many more birthdays!

  5. Ed Neal on June 1st, 2022 6:21 pm

    Mr. Emond,

    I am so happy to see you celebrating another birthday, and breaking your own Guinness world record once again for conducting, I can still recall the days back in 1963-1965 when you conducted the NAS Pensacola Band (of which I was a member) during the Mardi Gras parades. You are always on my mind. You are a hero to many!
    God Bless you sir!

    Ed Neal

  6. William Lingo on June 1st, 2022 2:44 pm

    @Molino mom, thank you for sharing those little tid bits about this fella, he truly is inspiring.

  7. Molino Mom on June 1st, 2022 9:43 am

    American Legion Post 340 ALR (American Legion Riders) done a surprise biker run for him on his birthday. He was at church so they all rode their bikes to his church and surprised him. He is a true hero! And such an amazing man. He also sings in the choir there. God Bless this man and I hope he has many more years!

  8. Corey Douglas Silence on May 31st, 2022 8:29 pm

    You’re truly an inspiration! Congratulations from another Navy veteran!

  9. William in Beulah on May 31st, 2022 3:10 pm

    I hope I’m doing as good as this fella at 70, much less a 104, you sir an an inspiration to stay motivated and not allow ones self to mildew!!!
    As a veteran myself, I salute you for your service to this great nation both as a member of the Armed Forces and in a Civilian capacity, thank you. I can only hope to follow in your footsteps serving my fellow American citizens.

  10. Beach Boy on May 31st, 2022 1:10 pm

    Congratulations and Thank you Mr. Frank for your dedication and commitment to continue serving those who serve and have served. I’m a former Air Force sergeant who gladly served and would do it again. To you Mr. Frank….I salute you sir.

  11. Fence Jumper on May 31st, 2022 12:27 pm

    Mr. Emond I salute you sir. You are a national treasure with so many amazing accomplishments. Thank you for all you have done for our country. God Bless you Sir and Happy birthday to you!

  12. EMD on May 31st, 2022 10:12 am

    You are an inspiration. To what do you owe your longevity? I salute you.

  13. Steven Richman on May 31st, 2022 9:12 am

    I too am a French horn player/Conductor. Thank you for being a great inspiration!

  14. Harold Wright on May 31st, 2022 9:04 am

    As a retired USAF Master Sergeant, I salute you for not only breaking your current Guinness World

  15. Janice king on May 31st, 2022 3:30 am

    Thank you frank for your service and protecting our county

  16. Sherry Taylor on May 31st, 2022 1:25 am

    Congratulations young man. I salute you!!!!