World War II Honoree

Richard Allen Owens

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Holyoke, Colorado

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Relationship

Friend

Rank: Storekeeper Second Class. He was inducted into the United States Navy June 13, 1939 at Denver, Colorado with Basic Military Training at the U.S. Naval Training Station San Diego, California. Upon his graduation from Boot Camp and along with any additional training; he was transferred to the USS Arizona Battleship II (BB-39) for duty, and based at Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii. Sunday Morning, December 7, 1941 “Battle-of-Pearl Harbor” the Commencement of WWII, when the Emperor of Japan’s Naval Aviators launched a devastating, surprise attack on the Oahu U.S. Naval Base, and other Military Installations. The USS Arizona with her Shipmates, lay moored on Ford Island came under attack, and was mortally wounded by an armor piercing bomb. The bomb ordnances ignited the Ship’s forward ammunition magazines. He was reported “Missing-in-Action” or entombed in the Battleship, along with his gallant crew members, gone without a trace, and will “Remain on Eternal Patrol”. In remembrance of the brave, his name is permanently inscribed in the tablets of the missing, memorialized at Honolulu Memorial Location: Honolulu, Hawaii. In his Memory, this American Patriot was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously for his Heroism, and ultimate sacrifice. He served his Country with Pride and Honor.