World War II Honoree

Paul Andrews Nash

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Carlisle, Indiana

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

SERVED IN THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER AS A FIRE CONTROLMAN FIRST CLASS ABOARD THE BATTLESHIP USS OKLAHOMA (BB-37). WAS ABOARD SHIP WHICH WAS ANCHORED OFF FORD ISLAND ON BATTLESHIP ROW 7 AT PEARL HARBOR, HAWAII AT THE TIME OF THE JAPANESE ATTACK ON DECEMBER 7, 1941. THE SHIP TOOK 3 AERIAL TORPEDO HITS AT THE OUTSET OF THE ATTACK AND ANOTHER 2 AS SHE CAPSIZED. MEMBERS OF THE CREW WERE STRAFED BY ENEMY PLANES AS THEY ABANDONED SHIP. THE OKLAHOMA WAS ON HER SIDE WITHIN 20 MINUTES AFTER THE ATTACK BEGAN. HE WAS KILLED IN ACTION ALONG WITH 415 SHIPMATES EITHER KILLED OR DECLARED MISSING IN ACTION. ANOTHER 32 MEN WERE WOUNDED IN THE ACTION. AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH BRONZE SERVICE STAR AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL.