World War II Honoree

George Sylvester Dunn, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

San Francisco, California

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Seaman Second Class. He was inducted into the United States Navy November 18, 1940 at San Francisco, California, with recruit training at the U.S. Naval Training Station San Diego, California. Upon his graduation from boot camp, he was transferred to the USS West Virginia Battleship, BB-48 for duty as an on-the-job trainee, and based at Pearl Harbor, Hawaiian Islands. On Sunday Morning, December 7, 1941 the Emperor of Japan’s Naval Aviators launched their well-planned attack on the U.S. Fleet at Pearl Harbor and other military installations on Oahu. The West Virginia along with her shipmates lay moored on Ford Island came under attack. The Battlewagon took five torpedoes in her portside and two bomb hits, causing severe flooding, and she slowly capsized. The Battle of Pearl Harbor took his life on the day of the attack, and interred in the Oahu Nuuanu Cemetery, Territory of Hawaii. After the cessation of hostilities with Japan, personnel from an American Graves Registration Company disinterred the unknown remains from the Oahu Cemetery, and laid them to rest in the Punchbowl Cemetery. 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 October 26, 1947 at the Golden Gate National Cemetery in San Bruno, California. This American Patriot was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously, for his ultimate sacrifice in defense of his country.