SEATTLE -- This Memorial Day is an especially memorable one for a local Pearl Harbor survivor.

Earl Johnson was just 17 when bombs dropped on Pearl Harbor. He said he wanted to join the Army so badly, he fudged his age. He was on duty during the attack and his barracks were sprayed with bombs.

"I ran for cover to a nearby beer garden and then they put me on the front lines guarding the bay in case of a land attack, but that never happened," he said.

Johnson survived the Pearl Harbor attack, but fell victim to another attack just last month. He was assaulted by robbers when they pushed their way into his home. They roughed him up and stole all his cash.

"They twisted my arms around my back and threw me on the floor and put a towel over my head," said Johnson the day after the April 20 attack.

Three thugs roughed him up and tied his arms behind his back with duct tape.

It all began when Johnson answered a knock at his front door and, before he knew it, he was knocked to the ground.

"They got a hold of me and hustled me into the bedroom and wanted to know 'where's the money?! Where's the money?!' " he said.

The thieves took off with all his cash, including $1,000 that was hidden in his bedroom.

"I had a wallet that had a couple $100 bills in it. I was saving that. I got (them) for my birthday and Christmas and stuff, I was just saving them," said Johnson.

Most of the cash was for groceries and living expenses, but the rest was for their summer vacation plans to visit relatives in Yakima and Oregon.

"We were hoping to visit my sister-in-law and our grandkids," said Johnson.

KOMO viewers heard his story and insisted on helping the Pearl Harbor survivor.

A fellow vet gave him $100 and offered to help him with home repairs.

"That's pretty darn nice," said Johnson.

Other viewers donated $400 and QFC was quick to split the remaining $600 with the Problems Solvers to buy grocery gift cards. Johnson was given a total of $1,000 in cash and gift cards by those who felt he was wronged.

"This sure will help. Thank you, thank you. I don't know what to say," said Johnson.

Johnson's bedridden wife was too ill to visit with KOMO News, but she asked us to make sure viewers know how much she appreciated the help and outpouring. Thanks to the contributions, their summer vacation to Yakima and Oregon is back on.

"We can now afford the $4 a gallon gas," said Johnson.

And they learned people really do care -- people that don't even know them.

"That's really amazing," said a dumbfounded Johnson.

The Johnsons have no idea why they were targeted or if this was a random attack. And they never saw it coming. The attack began with what the Johnsons describes as a "very soft knock" at the front door, which made them think it was a neighbor, not robbers.

Detectives do not have much of a description, only that the men were in their 20s. Anyone with information about the case is urged to call 911.