World War II Honoree

Ira Williams

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Kansas

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

SERVED IN THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER 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 WAS AT HIS 5-INCH GUN STATION AMIDSHIPS WHEN THE ATTACK BEGAN AND THE ALARM WAS SOUNDED. HE WAS ORDERED BY THE WATCH OFFICER TO MAN HIS GUN ALTHOUGH THERE WAS NO AMMUNITION. HE SAW ENEMY AIRCRAFT DROP TORPEDOES AND FELT THE SHOCKS OF THE DETONATIONS. WITHIN 12 MINUTES AFTER BEING STRUCK, THE OKLAHOMA CAPSIZED, TRAPPING HUNDREDS OF HIS SHIPMATES BELOW DECKS. HE SOMEHOW MADE IT FROM HIS STATION TO THE MAIN DECK AS THE SHIP ROLLED AND HE ESCAPED. SERVED A TOTAL OF SIX YEARS IN THE NAVY UNTIL HONORABLY DISCHARGED AND ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON.