Branch of Service
U.S. Navy
Hometown
Birmingham, Alabama
Honored By
John Peterson
HE WAS THE FIRST AMERICAN TO DIE IN THE PACIFIC DURING WWII. HE WAS SERVING ABOARD THE USS OKLAHOMA BB-37 AS A MESS ATTENDANT FIRST CLASS WHEN IT WAS BOMBED BY JAPANESE FIGHTER PLANES IN A SURPRISE ATTACK. HE WAS AWARDED A POSTHUMOUS PURPLE HEART IN HONOR OF HIS SACRIFICE.