Acts of Valor Abound on USS Oklahoma During Pearl Harbor Attack
Story updated on 2024-12-03 17:57 PST
Pearl Harbor, Hawaii – On the morning of December 7th, 1941, the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor was attacked by the Imperial Japanese Navy. The attack resulted in the loss of 2,403 American lives and the sinking or damaging of 21 American ships.
One of the ships that was attacked was the USS Oklahoma. The Oklahoma was a battleship that was commissioned in 1916. It was 583 feet long and displaced 32,000 tons. It was armed with 14 14-inch guns, 20 5-inch guns, and 4 3-inch guns.
The Oklahoma was moored at Ford Island when the Japanese attacked. It was hit by nine torpedoes and capsized in just 12 minutes. 429 sailors were killed in the attack.
Despite the overwhelming odds, there were many acts of valor on the Oklahoma that day. One of the most notable acts of valor was performed by Boatswain’s Mate First Class James Richard Ward. Ward was in charge of the Oklahoma’s aft 5-inch gun battery. When the Japanese attacked, Ward ordered his gunners to open fire on the enemy planes. Ward’s gunners shot down several Japanese planes before the Oklahoma was hit by torpedoes.
Ward was seriously injured in the attack. He was blown overboard and had to swim for several hours before he was rescued. Despite his injuries, Ward survived the attack and was awarded the Navy Cross for his heroism.
Another act of valor was performed by Seaman First Class John Finn. Finn was in charge of the Oklahoma’s aft ammunition magazine. When the Japanese attacked, Finn and his fellow sailors were ordered to abandon ship. However, Finn refused to leave his post. He stayed in the magazine and continued to pass ammunition to the gunners above.
Finn was killed in the attack when the Oklahoma capsized. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroism.
The USS Oklahoma was one of the most heavily damaged ships in the Pearl Harbor attack. However, the crew of the Oklahoma fought bravely against the enemy. Their acts of valor are a reminder of the courage and sacrifice of the men and women who served in the United States Navy during World War II.
Additional Information
- The USS Oklahoma was raised from the bottom of Pearl Harbor in 1943. It was later repaired and converted into a training ship. It served in this capacity until 1948, when it was decommissioned and sold for scrap.
- In 1982, the USS Oklahoma Memorial was dedicated at Pearl Harbor. The memorial is a 52-foot granite monument that is inscribed with the names of the 429 sailors who were killed in the attack.
- The USS Oklahoma is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Pearl Harbor. It is a reminder of the sacrifice that the men and women of the United States Navy made during World War II.
Acts of Valor Abound on USS Oklahoma During Pearl Harbor Attack
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