World War II Honoree

Ardenne Allen Woodard

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Berkeley, California

Honored By

Orville L Kline

Relationship

Friend

Rank: Machinist’s Mate Second Class. He was inducted into the United States Navy July 11, 1938, at Richmond, Virginia with Basic Military Training at the U.S. Naval Training Station Norfolk, Virginia. Upon his graduation from Boot Camp and with additional training; he was transferred to the USS Arizona Battleship II (BB-39) for duty. He was based at Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii. 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 Oahu U.S. Naval Base, and other Military Installations. The USS Arizona with her Shipmate’s, 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 and Honor, a cenotaph memorial has been placed at Maury Cemetery and located in Richmond, Virginia. This American Patriot was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously for his Heroism, and ultimate sacrifice. He served his Country with Pride and Honor.