USS West Virginia Veteran

On Dec. 7 John was getting ready to go ashore for church services when the alarm sounded for fire and rescue. Since he was a signal striker his station was on the flag bridge. He witnessed the entire battle and sinking of the ship. Unable to abandon ship because of the oil burning on top on the water he was stuck over night on the flag bridge. Rescued the next day he was grabbed by a departing destroyer ,the USS Dunlop for a raid on the Gilbert and Marshall islands. Assuming that he was killed on the West Virginia the Navy notified John's wife that he was missing and presumed dead.

Submitted by John's son Daniel