Ex-Nurse, 106, Makes Special Trip on Holland

Alice Beck Darrow with donated bullet (Holland America)

(Holland America) ​At 106 years old, World War II Navy Nurse Alice Beck Darrow has sailed into history aboard Holland America Line’s Westerdam. On a 28-day Legendary Glaciers and Volcanoes voyage, Alice is joined by her daughter and son-in-law for what is already the trip of a lifetime. But this journey carries a deeper mission: when the ship arrived in Honolulu, Alice personally donated a powerful symbol of resilience to the Pearl Harbor National Memorial Museum—a bullet that once rested in her husband’s heart.

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During the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, Fire Controlman Dean Darrow was serving aboard the USS West Virginia when five Japanese torpedoes struck the ship. Blown into the oily, burning water, Dean was rescued and treated for bloody scrapes and wounds. Initially cleared for duty, he was sent back to the South Pacific. Months later, complications led to a scan that revealed a bullet lodged in the muscle of his heart. He was transferred to Mare Island Naval Hospital in California, where a young Navy nurse named Alice Beck—a native of Paso Robles--was assigned to his case.

Before surgery, Dean took Alice’s hand and asked, “If I make it through, will you go out with me?” She said yes. He survived, and the two were married in 1942. That bullet became a cherished relic of survival, love, and the extraordinary circumstances that brought them together. Alice kept it close throughout their life together and long after Dean’s passing in 1991. Now, more than eight decades later, she’s ready to share it with the world.
 
“I’ve held onto this bullet for so long because it meant everything to us,” Alice said. “But I know it belongs in a place where others can understand what it represents—not just for Dean and me, but for all who served and sacrificed.”
 
Westerdam’s Captain Vincent Smit presented her with a special signed ship model on the voyage, and shared his admiration: “It is an incredible honor to have Alice aboard. Her story is one of courage, love, and legacy, and we’re humbled to play even a small role in helping her complete this journey.”
 
The Darrow family are loyal Holland America Line guests, having taken four cruises together recently. While previous voyages began in Europe, the long flights were becoming difficult for Alice. This roundtrip sailing from Seattle offered the perfect opportunity to relax and reflect—and to deliver the bullet in person during an overnight call in Honolulu.
 
As Westerdam continues her voyage, Alice’s story serves as a reminder that history lives not only in museums, but in the hearts of those who shaped it. Her donation will ensure that future generations understand the human stories behind the headlines—and the enduring power of love even in the most difficult times.