106-Year-Old WWII Nurse Donates Husband’s Bullet to Pearl Harbor Museum

Alice Beck Darrow, a 106-year-old former nurse, made a poignant donation to the Pearl Harbor National Memorial Museum that highlights her remarkable life story intertwined with the history of World War II. On September 18, 2025, she donated a bullet that was once lodged in her husband’s heart, a symbol of their enduring love and the sacrifices made during the war.

The couple’s journey began in 1942 at the Mare Island Naval Hospital in California, where Alice was caring for her husband, Dean Darrow, a young sailor who had survived the attack on the USS West Virginia on December 7, 1941. This catastrophic event resulted in the loss of 106 lives when the ship was hit by six torpedoes and two bombs. Although Dean survived the bombing, he was shot while attempting to board a rescue boat, leading to the discovery of a bullet lodged in his heart months later.

From Survival to Love

As Dean prepared for surgery to remove the bullet, he asked Alice, “If I make it through, will you go out with me?” She answered affirmatively, and following a successful operation, the couple married later that same year. For Alice, the bullet represented a cherished memory of their shared history.

The couple raised four children together in California and enjoyed nearly 50 years of marriage until Dean’s passing in 1991. Throughout their lives, Alice kept the bullet safe, valuing it as a reminder of their love and the trials they endured together.

A Meaningful Donation

During a recent cruise on Holland America’s Westerdam, Alice decided to donate the bullet to the Pearl Harbor museum. The donation occurred while she was staying overnight in Honolulu, and she described the moment as “deeply emotional.” In her statement, she expressed, “Holding onto the bullet all these years meant a great deal, but it truly belongs to those who served and sacrificed, and to all who can understand its significance, not just to Dean and me.”

Captain Vincent Smit of Holland America noted that the company felt “humbled to play even a small role in helping her complete this journey.” Alice Darrow is one of the last living links to the events of Pearl Harbor. In 2024, she received recognition for her contributions as a nurse during the war. Her advice to others has been, “Always have something to look forward to. It gets your body and mind ready for what’s next.”

Reflecting on her recent donation, she stated, “I think Dean would feel that returning the bullet to Pearl Harbor is the right thing to do. It honors so many, and I know he would agree it’s the right place for it.” Alice Beck Darrow’s donation not only serves as a tribute to her husband but also stands as a lasting remembrance of the sacrifices made by countless individuals during World War II.