Rest in Peace to an American Hero

It is with a heavy heart, that we share one of America's best, Frank Emond has passed away at the age of 104.

Frank Emond, a Pearl Harbor survivor and the Guinness World Record holder for oldest musical conductor, died Tuesday in Pensacola at the age of 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.

In December 1941, Frank was a French horn player in the U.S. Navy band aboard the battleship USS Pennsylvania. He was there on December 7th, 1941, witnessing the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

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”.

During and in the aftermath of the attack, he served as a stretcher bearer, carrying casualties to safety to allow crews to fight the fires.

Frank would stay in the Navy for 30 years and bravely serve his nation.

And just a few months ago, in November 2022, Frank broke his own Guinness World Record as “World’s Oldest Conductor” when he led The United States Air Force Band. Click here to watch:

Frank Emond truly lived an incredible life and we are lucky to have had the honor and privileged to have had such an inpiring and talent individual walking amongst us. Frank will be dearly missed.