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  • Writer's pictureDon Milne

Every Pearl Harbor fallen has a story - 2,341 of them

Updated: Oct 25, 2022


The 2,341 Americans in military service, who died due to the December 7, 1941 Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, have been remembered for 80 years. However, most people can only remembered them by name.


It was not possible to find a story for each and everyone of them that could be easily accessed from one location.


Until now.

Nearly 150 volunteers from more than three dozen states, as well as France and England, have worked on the database, enhanced photos (thank you MyHeritage!) and wrote & edited their stories now saved permanently on Together We Served and Fold3. As you scroll below, passing like a parade, you can see a brief bio of a fallen flag bearer representing his state, a link to his full story, and a link to where you can find the other stories of the fallen from that state.


Note: Flags reflect version in use in 1945.


Alabama





S2c George Washington Ingram

NAS Kaneohe Bay

His actions to repel the attach without regard to life resulted in a citation

Destroyer escort named in his honor







Find the stories of other Alabama fallen here


Arizona




COX George Hollowell

USS Arizona

Always wanted to join the Navy

Played the violin





Find the stories of other Arizona fallen here


Arkansas




ENS Rodney Shelton Foss

Naval Air Station, Kaneohe Bay

Saved a man from drowning in April 1941

A destroyer escort was named for him









Find the stories of the other Arkansas fallen here


California




SGT Warren D. Rasmussen

251st Coast Artillery

One of the first three servicemen killed at Pearl Harbor when his rented Piper Cub was shot down by approaching Japanese planes








Find the stories of the other California fallen here


Colorado





S2c Harold D Webster

USS Arizona

Talked father into letting him drop out of high school and join navy at age 17

Park in Loveland, Colorado named for him








Find the stories of the other Colorado fallen here


Connecticut





LTJG Eric Allen, Jr.

USS Enterprise

Naval Academy graduate

Shot down and parachuted into Pearl Harbor during the attack

Swam to Ford Island but died of wounds








Find the stories of the other Connecticut fallen here


Delaware





BM2c George A. Penuel, Jr.

USS Shaw

Former Boy Scout and National Guardsman

First Delawarean to die in the line of duty in World War II







Find their stories here on Fold3 and here on the Delaware's World War II Fallen website.


District of Columbia




ENS Robert S Booth

USS Arizona

Captain of high school rifle team

Studied electrical engineering in college

Destroyer escort named in his honor






Find the stories of the other DC fallen here


Florida




LTJG William R. Hollis

USS Arizona

Florida police officer when called to active duty

Correctly predicted war would start within one week






Find the stories of the other Florida fallen here


Georgia




PFC William H. Manley

Wheeler Field

Aviation Mechanic

Red Cross chapter named in his honor






Find the stories of the other Georgia fallen here


Idaho





S2c Berry S. Jolley

USS Arizona

Both parents died within six months when he was 5 years old






Find the stories of the other Idaho fallen here


Illinois





LCDR Thomas E. Crowley

USS Arizona

Joined Navy at age 16

Ship dentist

Destroyer escort named in his honor






Find the stories of the other Illinois fallen here


Indiana




Oris V. Brandt

USS Oklahoma

Captain of high school basketball team

Remains not identified until 2019 and laid to rest in September2021






Find the stories of the other Indiana fallen here


Iowa





S1c William V Ball

USS Arizona

When his neighbors, the Sullivans, learned of Ball's death, the five brothers joined the navy. They all perished on the USS Juneau in November 1942.







Find the stories of the other Iowa fallen here


Kansas





S1c John A. Bird

USS Tracy

Had 15 brothers and sister

Left ship to help defend USS Pennsylvania






Find the stories of the other Kansas fallen here


Kentucky




MU1 Frederick W Kinney

USS Arizona

Bandmaster of USS Arizona Band

Was on the fantail ready to play Colors when the Pearl Harbor attack began

All band members ran down to their battle stations in the ammunition holds






Find the stories of other Kentucky fallen here


Lousiana




LTJG Harold A. Harveson

USS Utah

Father died when he was 3

Naval Academy grad

Destroyer escort named in his honor






Find the stories of the other Louisiana fallen here


Maine





LCDR John E. French

USS Arizona

Naval Academy grad

In charge of ship navigation







Find the stories of the other Maine fallen here


Maryland




SSGT Joseph C. Herbert

14th Fighter Group

Joined army in 1932 and reenlisted three times

American Legion Post named for him






Find the stories of the other Maryland here


Massachusetts





S1c Joseph L. Lemire

USS West Virginia

Was waiting for the launch to take him to church when the Pearl Harbor attack began

A VFW post and annual 4th of July race are named in his honor







Find the stories of other Massachusetts fallen here


Michigan




S1c Joe Nightingale

USS Oklahoma

Dropped out of high school to join the Navy

Remains recently identified and will be buried at home on December 7, 2021







Find the stories of the other Michigan fallen here


Minnesota




COX Chester F. Kleist

USS West Virginia

Parents from Germany and Norway

13 years in Navy

Father of three sons including twins






Find the stories of the other Minnesota fallen here


Mississippi




PC Paxton Carter

USS Arizona

Ship pay clerk

Turned down invite to stay on shore the night before the attack






Find the stories of the other Mississippi fallen here


Missouri




S2c Mathew J Agola

USS Chew

Joined Navy at age 17

Killed while helping to move wounded sailors






Find the stories of the other Missouri fallen here


Montana






SGT Carlo Anthony Micheletto

Marine Utility Squadron 252

Earned Bronze Star while defending Ewa Marine Corps Air Station








Find the stories of the other Montana fallen here


Nebraska





CPL Robert Lee Avery

11th Bombardment Group

Earned Silver Star defending Hickam Field

Brother was killed by kamikaze in 1945








Find the stories of the other Nebraska fallen here


Nevada