It was a quiet, simple ceremony comprised of soldiers honoring a fellow soldier.

In this instance, though, the soldier being honored is one from World War II, a member of the Greatest Generation.

Assigned to the 25th Infantry Division at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii, Staff Sgt. Alfred Eye survived the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

A surprise assault, 353 Japanese aircraft struck the naval base in two waves.  Numerous ships were damaged and sunk; over 2,400 personnel were killed and another 1,200-plus were wounded.

"It was a day Sgt. Eye survived," said Capt. James King, commander, D Troop, 2nd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division.

"We are here today to honor another soldier."

Tuesday - 69 years to the day after the attack on Pearl Harbor - the 89-year-old Eye stood in Soldiers Field House before his brother soldiers.

"Thank you for your service," Col. Michael Getchell, the brigade's commander, said warmly as he shook Eye's hand.

"We are honored by your presence."

Eye smiled widely.

During his six-year Army career (1940-1946), Eye participated throughout the Pacific theater in combat operations against Japanese forces, including the liberation of the Philippines.

He served honorably, earning a Bronze Star, Purple Heart and his Combat Infantryman Badge among other decorations.

Unfortunately, those three awards were lost years ago and had never been replaced.

But the memory of what they mean did not fade, and the sense of serving one's country in its time of need had not been lost on Spc. Nathan Glaser, Eye's great grandson.

"I'm a little nervous," said Glaser before the ceremony.  "But I am also very excited to be here and doing this for my great-grandfather."

That was understandable.

Assigned to D Troop, 2nd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment and a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Glaser was directly instrumental in having his great-grandfather's awards replaced.

"He came to me and asked for my help in restoring those awards," said King.

"He also suggested that we honor his great-grandfather on December 7, and I think that is appropriate."

As Glaser held the tray holding the medals, King once again pinned them once again onto Eye's brown leather jacket.

"The Army's mission today was forged by soldiers like Staff Sgt. Eye," said King.

The pinning over, King presented a plaque to Eye, making him an honorary member of the squadron.