With tear-filled eyes and a smile from ear to ear, Richard Crosariol looked around at the Marines standing at attention before him.

On his driveway was a small cadre of nine non-commissioned officers from the NAS Patuxent River Marine Aviation Detachment and their Sergeant Major. On Jan. 12, they, along with the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, travelled to Crosariol’s home in Indian Head, Md., to present the 94-year-old retired sergeant major something that was long overdue.

“We are privileged, humbled to be able to be in your presence and to be able to give back to you today,” Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Michael Barrett told Crosariol, while the friends and family gathered outside his home looked on.

And with those words, Barrett offered Crosariol a Marine Corps NCO Sword, the oldest weapon still in military service today.

“And Marines are proud to be the ones to carry it,” Barrett said.

It’s a tradition that began in 1859 when Col. John Harris, the sixth Commandant of the Marine Corps, gave his staff NCOs a sword in recognition of their leadership, their selflessness and their courage. Marines earn the right to carry the NCO Sword when they attain the rank of an NCO; however, Crosariol never got one.

“This Marine has paid it forward,” said Sgt. Maj. Wallington Sims Jr., NAS Patuxent River Marine Aviation Detachment. “We wanted to show our gratitude for his making the way for those who followed.”

Crosariol enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1940 when he was just 21.

He said he volunteered to serve because, “Hitler was making noises,” but after boot camp he found himself with orders to The Aloha State.

It was peacetime and Crosariol’s ship, USS Maryland, was docked and tied to USS Oklahoma. But, on Dec. 7, 1941, it all changed when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, launching the U.S. into World War II.

Today, 71 years later, Crosariol is the last Marine Pearl Harbor bombing survivor in the state.

“Sir, this is the oldest weapon still in use today and it is now yours,” Barrett told Crosariol. “How fitting is it that this weapon that not everybody gets to carry, is bestowed to you.”

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