World War II Honoree

Ardill G. 'Art' Wright, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Atoka, Oklahoma

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

ENTERED MILITARY SERVICE IN 1940 AND TOOK BOOT CAMP TRAINING AT THE NAVAL TRAINING CENTER AT SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA. SERVED IN THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER AS A BAKER THIRD CLASS ABOARD THE LIGHT CRUISER USS RALEIGH (CL-7). WAS ABOARD SHIP WHICH WAS ANCHORED OFF FORD ISLAND AT PEARL HARBOR, HAWAII AT THE TIME OF THE JAPANESE SURPRIZE ATTACK ON DECEMBER 7, 1941. WAS SIPPING COFFEE WHEN THE ATTACK BEGAN AND WENT TOPSIDE TO SEE WHAT WAS HAPPENING. HIS SHIP WAS ATTACKED BY THE FIRST WAVE OF ENEMY AIRCRAFT; AND HE FELT THE SHOCK OF AN EXPLODING TORPEDO THAT STRUCK AMIDSHIPS AND RIPPED A HOLE ABOUT 8 FEET IN DIAMETER IN THE HULL. AS HE RACED AFT TO HIS BATTLE STATION, HE WITNESSED THE CAPSIZING OF THE USS UTAH (AG-16). ONLY THE VALIANT EFFORT OF THE CREW OF THE RALEIGH SAVED THE SHIP FROM CAPSIZING. AFTER THE ATTACK ENDED, WENT TO THE AID OF THE UTAH TO CUT A HOLE IN THE KEEL TO RESCUE TRAPPED CREWMEMBERS. BEGINNING IN LATE 1942, SERVED IN THE NORTH PACIFIC IN ALASKAN WATERS. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AND ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON.