World War II Honoree

Harry John Halvorsen

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

New York City, New York

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Fireman First Class. He was inducted into the United States Navy August 22, 1940 at New York City, New York, with recruit training at the U.S. Naval Training Station Newport, Rhode Island. Upon his graduation from boot camp and Fire Training, he was transferred to the USS West Virginia Battleship, BB-48 for duty as a Fireman, and based at Pearl Harbor, Hawaiian Islands. On Sunday Morning, December 7, 1941 the Emperor of Japan’s Naval Aviators launched a devastating, surprise attack on the U.S. Naval Base and other military installation on Oahu. The Battleship along with her shipmates was moored on Ford Island, when the warship was attacked by five Torpedo Bombers. The torpedo warheads hit the battlewagon on her port side causing severe flooding, and she slowly capsized. The Battle of Pearl Harbor took his life on the day of the attack, and he was interred in the Oahu Nuuanu Cemetery, Territory of Hawaii. After the cessation of hostilities with Japan, the family of this Seaman received his remains for burial. He was laid to rest with Military Honors, July 7, 1949 at the Long Island National Cemetery in Farmingdale, New York. This American Patriot was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously, for his ultimate sacrifice in defense of his country.