World War II Honoree

Carl Darden

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Coweta, Oklahoma

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

DRAFTED INTO MILITARY SERVICE. ONE OF HIS FIRST DUTIES AS A NEW SAILOR, AFTER DEPLOYING TO THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER TO PEARL HARBOR, HAWAII, WAS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE RECOVERY OF THE REMAINS AND PERSONAL EFFECTS OF THE CREW OF THE BATTLESHIP USS OKLAHOMA (BB-37). THE OKLAHOMA WAS SUNK DURING THE JAPANESE SURPRISE ATTACK ON DECEMBER 7, 1941 WHILE ANCHORED ON 'BATTLESHIP ROW' AT PEARL HARBOR. THE BATTLESHIP WAS RAISED IN THE SUMMER OF 1943 AND THE GRIM TASK OF RECOVERING REMAINS BEGAN. SERVED OVERSEAS IN THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER ABOARD THE CRUISER USS SAN FRANCISCO (CA-38), WORKING IN THE SHIP'S RADAR ROOM. PARTICIPATED IN COMBAT OPERATIONS AT IWO JIMA IN THE BONIN ISLANDS, AND OKINAWA IN THE RYUKYU ISLANDS. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AND ISSUED THE WWII HONORABLE DISCHARGE LAPEL PIN. AWARDED THE COMBAT ACTION RIBBON, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. CONTINUED IN U.S. NAVY SERVICE AFTER THE WAR UNTIL AGAIN HONORABLY DISCHARGED.