World War II Honoree

Paul Goodyear

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Michigan

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

SERVED IN THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER AS A 23 YEAR OLD SIGNALMAN ABOARD THE BATTLESHIP USS OKLAHOMA (BB-37). WAS ABOARD SHIP WHICH WAS ANCHORED OFF FORD ISLAND ON BATTLESHIP ROW AT PEARL HARBOR, HAWAII AT THE TIME OF THE JAPANESE ATTACK ON DECEMBER 7, 1941. HE HAD JUST REPORTED FOR WATCH AND WAS STANDING ON THE SIGNAL BRIDGE ON THE STARBOARD SIDE OF THE SHIP WHEN BOMBS STARTED FALLING AND ENEMY TORPEDOES WERE RELEASED TARGETING HIS SHIP. WITHIN 12 MINUTES AFTER BEING STRUCK, THE OKLAHOMA CAPSIZED, TRAPPING HUNDREDS OF HIS SHIPMATES BELOW DECKS. HE JUMPED FROM THE SHIP INTO OILY BURNING WATER AND HIS LIFE WAS SAVED BY GRASPING A LINE THROWN FROM THE BATTLESHIP USS MARYLAND (BB-46). OF THE OKLAHOMA'S 1,518 MEMBER CREW, 429 PERISHED. A PEARL HARBOR SURVIVOR, HE PARTICIPATED IN 13 CAMPAIGNS IN THE PACIFIC OCEAN AREA. HONORABLY DISCHARGED WITH THE RATE OF PETTY OFFICER THIRD CLASS AND ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON.