Son of Canton . . . Hero at Pearl Harbor

Navy Seaman 1st Class John Kalervo Luntta tragically became part of local history when he lost his life aboard the USS Nevada at Pearl Harbor in 1941.

Here is John’s story — how he lived, his family life and his last months prior to Pearl Harbor.

The Luntta family was of Finnish and Russian descent; and John wore the fair complexion, light hair and eyes of his heritage. The Navy may also have been part of his DNA. When John’s uncle Hans Luntta arrived at the Port of New York in 1918, he stayed at the Scandinavian Sailors Home in Brooklyn, New York.

John’s parents: John Einar Luntta, (a Canton selectman), and Elizabeth Justine Kovanen Luntta lived, with their 7 children, in a saltbox-style home at 330 East Hill Road; a working dairy farm. 

About Town spoke with Nellie Crowston who — through her 97 year old mother Viola Vienot, John’s sister — shared stories of John’s life.

AT: So, John grew up with 3 brothers and 3 sisters?

NC: The complete birth order was llmari (called Elmer), Viola, Kyllikki (called Jean), Telerva (called Dot), Kulervo Hans (called Hans, middle name came from uncle), John (called Pop) and Eero (called Pete) — as well as three others who died at birth or a very young age.

AT: What was John like as a boy?

NC: Nice and cheerful, but liked to tease his younger brother. Fairly quiet and shy. Smart and quick to learn. Very tall, perhaps 6 feet. When the two brothers, (Hans and John), walked together, they were referred to as Big John and Little Hans, due to their size not age.

He was a good boy, who did his chores on the farm. He helped neighbors when he could. He looked like a football player, but did not play sports.  

AT: What was family life like?

NC: Quiet. Congenial. They got along with everyone. But, the family kept to themselves because they lived in a remote area and were somewhat withdrawn due to the language barrier.

AT: He enjoyed life on the family farm?

NC: He was a humble lad who didn’t want to leave the farm on East Hill, but was glad to serve his country.

Whenever I hear his name, I think of my mom telling me that when asked if he wanted to go into town with the family he said, “Oh no, I went last year.”

AT: How about recreation?

NC: With no neighbors nearby to play with, the kids had to entertain themselves. There were two sleds and the kids had to take turns sharing them in the winter. In the summer there was only one bike and it was kept busy by one brother or another.

The most fun was the pair of old skis John’s father brought from Finland. They were perhaps twice the length of American skis, much too long for kids to use. But they did. There was rollicking laughter, much like watching a circus clown perform.

AT: How about John as a student?

NC: He learned to read before he started school. He was taught by his sister who wrote words on the sauna wall as if it were a blackboard. He had a long attention span for this, despite his age.

AT: Why did John join the Navy a year after he graduated from Canton High School?

NC: He volunteered to go as his patriotic duty. The family was proud of its adopted country and wanted to serve it.

They were proud as Americans to have sons serve their country, to defend the American values and ideals, but missed having them at home.

John joined the Navy on December 27, 1939, on his 18th birthday, and just a month after his brother Hans enlisted. Both John and Hans would be stationed at Long Beach, California before moving on to Pearl Harbor for service on the USS Nevada. 

Tomorrow: John K. Luntta's time at Pearl Harbor.