WW2 Pearl Harbor Fallen - Paul Johann, USS Arizona, died on his birthday

Gunners Mate 3rd Class Paul Johann served on the USS Arizona at Pearl Harbor. He died on his birthday.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/7900481
https://www.warhistoryonline.com/war-articles/uss-arizona-life-and-death.html 

Paul Frederick Johann never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.

Paul was born on December 7, 1919 in Alta Vista, Iowa. His parents Peter and Malinda were born in Germany and Iowa respectively. His father immigrated to the US in 1913 and worked as a tenant farmer and later as the operator of a tavern. Paul had two younger brothers and one younger sister. In May 1937, he graduated from Alta Vista High School, where he was the second leading scorer on the basketball team his senior year and was the class salutatorian.

He enlisted in the US Navy in February 1940 and underwent training at Great Lakes Naval Station near Chicago, Illinois. He was eventually assigned as a Gunners Mate 3rd Class (GM3c) aboard the battleship USS Arizona. As a GM3c his duties included leading one of the many gun crews on the Arizona. On the morning of 7 December 1941, GM3c Johann was surely looking forward to celebrating his 22nd birthday, unaware of what fate had in store for him. When Japanese aircraft suddenly appeared shortly before 0800 hours, dropping bombs and torpedoes on the Arizona and the other ships on Battleship Row, I’d like to think that GM3c Johann quickly sprang to action at his gun mount to defend his ship and crewmates.

Over a span of less than 10 minutes, the Arizona was hit by no less than five Japanese bombs, the last of which penetrated the armored deck near the ammunition magazines located in the forward section of the ship. The magazines detonated in a cataclysmic explosion, effectively tearing the ship in half. The explosion touched off fierce fires that burned for two days; debris showered down on Ford Island in the vicinity. The bombs and subsequent explosion killed 1,177 of the 1,512 crewmen on board the Arizona at the time, approximately half of the total American servicemen killed during the attack. 

Paul’s parents were notified by the Navy Department two weeks later that their son was missing in the attack. In late January 1942 they were notified that after extensive search no trace of his body could be found and he was officially declared killed in action, and is presumed to be among the 1,000+ souls still on board the shattered remains of the USS Arizona. 

Paul Frederick Johann is memorialized in the USS Arizona Memorial in Honolulu, Hawaii and in Union Cemetery in his hometown of Alta Vista, Iowa. His brother enlisted in the Navy in 1942 and survived the war.

Thank you GM3c Johann for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Paul.

_____

This profile was written by Bob Fuerst. "I’m a NASA engineer, B-17 Flying Fortress enthusiast, and amateur genealogist so this kind of research is an ideal outlet for me. But more than anything, it’s a way to express my sincere appreciation for The Greatest Generation and the sacrifices that they made, especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice. They should never be forgotten and I’m grateful to Don for allowing me to play a small part in honoring them." 

Last year on this date I profiled Medal of Honor hero William McWhorter. You can read about William here.

On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!

I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.

Follow on Twitter @ww2fallen100

Please consider joining the public Facebook group to increase the exposure of this project. Go to: WW2 Fallen 100

WW2 Fallen 100 is supported by

The Greatest GENERATIONS Foundation

“Where Every Day is Memorial Day”

http://www.tggf.org

WW2 Pearl Harbor Fallen - Francis and Norman Morse, USS Arizona

 Brothers Francis and Norman Morse served together on the USS Arizona at Pearl Harbor.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/22512363/francis-jerome-morse
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/22509734
https://www.warhistoryonline.com/war-articles/uss-arizona-life-and-death.html

Francis Jerome Morse never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.

He was born on November 22, 1919 in Colorado. His parents Royal and Clara were born in Minnesota and Tennessee, respectively. His father worked as a stable foreman for a sugar beet farm, and later as a farm laborer. He died in 1930. Francis had a younger brother Norman two years his junior. 

Francis joined the navy in December 1936. He was assigned to the battleship USS Arizona in April 1937. Norman joined the navy in August 1938 and he joined his brother on Arizona in December 1938. Francis reached the rank of boatswain's mate first class. His duties included handling the ropes and chains and helping with steering of the ship. Norman reached the rank of water tender second class. His duties involved working in the boiler rooms.

Francis married Dorothy Fletcher in August 1939. They set up residence in California. Meanwhile Norman established residence with his widowed mother in Virginia.

On the morning of December 7, 1941, the Morse brothers were on duty onboard Arizona when it was hit by four Japanese bombs. The final one penetrated to the forward magazine and exploded with devastating loss of life. Francis and Norman were one of 23 sets of brothers on the Arizona who all died.

The brothers are still entombed in the USS Arizona. They have cenotaph gravestones at Arlington National Cemetery. His mother, who had lost her husband and all her children, died in 1981. Dorothy Morse did not remarry, as far as I can tell, and died in 2004.

Thank you Francis and Norman for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for the Morse brothers.

Last year on this date I profiled Battle of the Bulge fallen Clark Zills, 3rd Armored Division. You can read about Clark here.

On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!

I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.

Follow on Twitter @ww2fallen100
Please consider joining the public Facebook group to increase the exposure of this project. Go to: WW2 Fallen 100

WW2 Fallen 100 is supported by

The Greatest GENERATIONS Foundation

“Where Every Day is Memorial Day”

http://www.tggf.org

WW2 Fallen - William V. Ball, USS Arizona + Sullivan Brothers tie in

Seaman 1/c William Ball served on the battleship USS Arizona at Pearl Harbor.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/7885008
https://www.history.navy.mil/our-collections/photography/wars-and-events/world-war-ii/pearl-harbor-raid/battleship-row-during-the-pearl-harbor-attack/uss-arizona-during-the-pearl-harbor-attack.html 

William Vycent Ball never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.

If you have enjoyed reading the stories of the WWII fallen, Can you help write some stories? It's a big project. The more help, the better.  Announcing "The Stories Behind the Stars", see https://www.storiesbehindthestars.org. This crowd-sourced national project has the goal of compiling stories of all 400,000+ of the US World War II fallen in one free-to-access central database. We are going to need a lot of volunteers. Anyone visiting a war memorial or gravesite will be able to scan the name of the fallen with a smartphone and his story will appear on the phone.

 

William was born on July 15, 1920 in Linn Grove, Iowa. His parents Wiley and Rebecca were both born in Virginia. His father worked as a farmer. William had an older brother and two younger sisters, and a younger brother. 

William joined the navy in October 1938 and by January 1939 he was onboard the battleship USS Arizona. He obtained the rank of seaman first class. He joined his brother Masten who had been serving on Arizona for more than two years. Masten was a fireman first class. It was not uncommon for brothers or even fathers and sons to serve together on the same ship.

The Ball brothers were aboard Arizona on December 7, 1941 when it was attacked by Japanese bombers. William was killed during the attack and he remains entombed in the ship. Masten survived the attack, and the war, and died in 1985.

William and Masten were friends of Joseph, Madison, and Albert Sullivan. When they learned that William had been killed in the Pearl Harbor attack, they decided to enlist in the navy to avenge their friend's death. They joined brothers George and Francis on the cruiser USS Juneau. One of the best known stories of World War II was when the five Sullivan brothers were killed when Juneau was sunk by a Japanese submarine in November 1942.

William's grave is at the USS Arizona Memorial in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Thank you Seaman Ball for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Willam.

The website with the most information about William is USSArizona.org.

This is one of the final 50 stories to be written as part of this project which ends on September 2, 2020, the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II. At that time more than 1,370 men and women will have been profiled. The project will live on in an expanded program to write the stories of all 400,000+ US World War II fallen. Visit www.storiesbehindthestars.org to learn more. We welcome your continued support and interest and encourage you to help write some of these stories.

Last year on this date I profiled Battle of the Bulge fallen Chestine Jenks, 106th Infantry Division. You can read about Chestine here.

On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!

I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.

Follow on Twitter @ww2fallen100
Please consider joining the public Facebook group to increase the exposure of this project. Go to: WW2 Fallen 100

WW2 Fallen 100 is supported by

The Greatest GENERATIONS Foundation

“Where Every Day is Memorial Day”

http://www.tggf.org

WW2 Pearl Harbor Fallen - Howard Merrill, USS Arizona

Ensign Howard Merrill was killed when a Japanese bomb ignited the forward magazine of the USS Arizona.
He is still entombed there. The destroyer escort USS Merrill was named in his honor.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/65377077
https://www.militaryimages.net/media/paintings-of-pearl-harbour.34690/
http://www.cnn.com/travel/article/uss-arizona-pearl-harbor-memorial-feat/index.html
http://www.navsource.org/archives/06/392.htm

Howard Deal Merrill never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.

He was born on December 16, 1917 in Utah. His father Claude was also born in Utah while his mother Eva was born in England. His father worked as a farmer. Howard had three older sisters. 

By 1940 Howard graduated from the US Naval Academy. He was commissioned an ensign and assigned to the USS Arizona.

On the morning of December 7, 1941, Ensign Merrill was on duty onboard the Arizona when it was  hit by four Japanese bombs. The final one penetrated to the forward magazine and exploded with devastating loss of life. Ensign Merrill's battle station was the central engine room. Along with hundreds of his fellow sailors, Ensign Merrill remains entombed in the USS Arizona Memorial.

His cenotaph grave is at Aultorest Memorial Park, Ogden, Utah.

In August 1943 Howard's sister Dorothy christen the destroyer escort USS Merrill, named in Ensign Merrill's honor. It provided transatlantic escort duty during the war.

Thank you Ensign Merrill for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Howard.  

Ensign Merrill's story is also told at https://www.fold3.com/page/636414303-howard-merrill/stories. It is part of the Stories Behind the Stars project, Utah pilot.

Thanks to Darillyn Lamb Starr for recommending that Howard be profiled.

On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!

I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.

Follow on Twitter @ww2fallen100
Join the public Facebook group WW2 Fallen 100

WW2 Fallen - USS Arizona Brothers Eugene & Charles Skiles

Eugene Skiles and his brother Charles were both killed on the USS Arizona during the attack on Pearl Harbor.
http://japanese-aviation.forumeiros.com/t40-22-pearl-harbor-raid-hiryu-s-high-level-bombers

Eugene Skiles could have been 100 years old today. 

He was born on February 20, 1917 in Missouri. His parents were also both born in Missouri. His father was a coal miner who later became a farmer. Eugene had two older sisters, two older brothers, three younger sisters and one younger brother named Charles, six years his junior. By 1940 Eugene was a high school graduate but did not show as having been employed.

Eugene became a sailor on the USS Arizona. So did his brother Charles. On December 7, 1941, both Eugene and Charles were killed when the Arizona was destroyed by Japanese bombs and torpedoes. They were one of 23 sets of brothers on the Arizona that all died. A cousin of the Skiles brothers, Gerald Skiles, died that day on the USS Oklahoma.

The brothers' remains are still entombed in the USS Arizona.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2015/02/10/the-uss-arizonas-last-surviving-officer-has-died-how-the-pearl-harbor-hero-recalled-the-day-of-infamy/?utm_term=.d69e29cb8653

Thank you Eugene and Charles for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Eugene and Charles.


On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!

Follow on Twitter @ww2fallen100
Join public Facebook group WW2 Fallen 100

WW2 Pearl Harbor Fallen - William Durham, USS Arizona

Seaman William Durham served on USS Arizona during the attack on Pearl Harbor.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/7892631/william-teasdale-durham
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/68674507/william-teasdale-durham
https://www.history.navy.mil/our-collections/photography/wars-and-events/world-war-ii/pearl-harbor-raid/battleship-row-during-the-pearl-harbor-attack/uss-arizona-during-the-pearl-harbor-attack.html 

William Teasdale Durham never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.

He was born on April 25, 1919 in Baldwin, North Carolina. His parents Edward and Jennie were also both born in North Carolina. His father worked as a farmer. William had an older brother and sister and a younger brother and sister.

He volunteered for the US Navy on March 5, 1940. In August of that year he was assigned to the light cruiser USS Trenton. One month later he became a seaman first class serving on the battleship USS Arizona.

On the morning of December 7, 1941, Seaman Durham was on duty onboard Arizona when it was  hit by four Japanese bombs. The final one penetrated to the forward magazine and exploded with devastating loss of life. Seaman Durham's rating would have placed him at a gunnery, steering, or signaling station. He was killed in action during the attack.

Unlike hundreds of other Arizona sailors, Seaman Durham's remains were recovered. He is buried at Lystra Baptist Church Cemetery in Farrington, North Carolina.

Thank you Seaman Durham for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for William.

Last year on this date I profiled B-24 gunner Raymond Munstermann. You can read about Raymond here.

On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!

I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.

Follow on Twitter @ww2fallen100
Please consider joining the public Facebook group to increase the exposure of this project. Go to: WW2 Fallen 100

WW2 Fallen 100 is supported by

The Greatest GENERATIONS Foundation

“Where Every Day is Memorial Day”

http://www.tggf.org

WW2 Pearl Harbor Fallen - USNA grad Edward Cloues, USS Arizona

Ensign Edward Cloues was killed when the Japanese bombed the USS Arizona depicted in this paining by Tom Freeman.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56117963
http://archives.starbulletin.com/2001/05/20/features/story5.html

Edward Blanchard Cloues never had a chance to reach 100 years old on Christmas Day. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.

He was born on December 25, 1917 in New Hampshire. His parents Alfred and Hattie were both born in Massachusetts. His father worked as a lumber mill manager and later as a postmaster. Still later he was the treasurer for Merrimack County. Edward had two younger brothers, the younger of which served in the army during World War 2. By 1940 Edward had graduated from the US Naval Academy.

Ensign Cloues was assigned to serve on the USS Arizona and arrived on station on June 29, 1940. On the first weekend of December 1941, Ensign Cloues had earned leave in Honolulu. He traded with another ensign and stayed onboard. As is well known, on December 7, 1941 Arizona was mortally struck by a devastating dive bombing attack when a Japanese bomb penetrated its deck and exploded the forward magazine. Ensign Cloues battle station was in one of the gun turrets. He was likely killed in the massive explosion since his body was never found. His family probably spent Christmas 1941, and Edward's birthday, with the unconfirmed knowledge that Edward would not be coming home.

The destroyer escort USS Cloues was named after him. It was christened by his mother on August 10, 1943.

USS Cloues
http://www.navsource.org/archives/06/images/265/0626505.jpg

Edward remains entombed in the USS Arizona. His name is listed on the Tablet of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial.

Thank you Edward for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Edward and remember the blessing we now enjoyed in our free nation. Here, in part, is what President Truman said on December 24, 1945, the first Christmas season of peace after four years of war:

With our enemies vanquished we must gird ourselves for the work that lies ahead. Peace has its victories no less hard won than success at arms. We must not fail or falter. We must strive without ceasing to make real the prophecy of Isaiah: “They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning-hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.”

In this day, whether it be far or near, the Kingdoms of this world shall become indeed the Kingdom of God and He will reign forever and ever, Lord of Lords and King of Kings. With that message I wish my countrymen a Merry Christmas and joyous days in the New Year.

On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!

I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.

Follow on Twitter @ww2fallen100
Join the public Facebook group WW2 Fallen 100

WW2 Pearl Harbor Fallen - Lawrence Anderson, USS Arizona

Ensign Lawrence Anderson was on the battleship Arizona when the Japanese surprise attacked Pearl Harbor.
http://www.ussarizona.org/index.php/features/lists/uss-arizona-casualty-list/392-anderson-lawrence-donald
https://speccoll.library.arizona.edu/online-exhibits/items/show/931

Lawrence Donald Anderson never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.

He was born on August 21, 1918 in Illinois. His parents August and Mabel were born in Illinois and Iowa, respectively. His father worked as a poultry dealer. Lawrence had one older brother, two younger brothers, and one younger sister. They grew up in Iowa. By 1940 Lawrence had completed two years of college. He was living at home and was employed as a waiter.

He enlisted in the navy in August 1940 and was commissioned an officer in March 1941. He became an ensign serving on the battleship USS Arizona. He was give responsibility over the ship band and football team. 

On the morning of December 7, 1941, Ensign Anderson was on duty onboard the Arizona when it was  hit by four Japanese bombs. The final one penetrated to the forward magazine and exploded with devastating loss of life. His battle station was Turret IV, far away from the massive explosion that sent Arizona to the bottom of the harbor. He somehow got off of the ship.

Ensign Anderson was badly injured when he was rescued and taken to the hospital ship USS Solace. He died at 0045 on December 8, 1941.

His grave is at Mt. Olive Cemetery in Waukon, Iowa.

Thank you Ensign Anderson for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Donald.

Last year on this date I profiled Philippines guerrilla captain James Hart. You can read about James here.

On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!

I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.

Follow on Twitter @ww2fallen100
Please consider joining the public Facebook group to increase the exposure of this project. Go to: WW2 Fallen 100

WW2 Fallen 100 is supported by

The Greatest GENERATIONS Foundation

“Where Every Day is Memorial Day”

http://www.tggf.org

Remember Pearl Harbor By Remembering Those We Lost

Lawrence Boxrucker, Howard Carter, and Welborn Ashby were among those killed at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.
The Honolulu Memorial at the Punch Bowl remembers these fallen.

Last year, when we were commemorating the 75th anniversary or the attack on Pearl Harbor, I first contemplated that while some of the American servicemen who died in World War 2 have been recognized and honored, the vast majority remain unknown. Unlike the Vietnam War Memorial with the names listed on a wall, the World War 2 fallen have had to settle for representation of a star on the World War 2 Memorial for each 100 who didn't come home.

Even though these men died more than seven decades ago, it was still a modern age. There were records and photographs, letters and journals. With the development of the Internet, a lot of this information is relatively easy to find. I thought it would be a worthwhile project to tell some of their stories.

So far this year I have written 339 profiles. Each man (and one woman) left behind parents, siblings, sometimes a sweetheart and even children. As a group, most of them knew what they were getting into. They knew the risks and knew they might not come home. The exceptions to this were those killed on December 7, 1941. These men woke that morning to a nation at peace. Many died not even knowing they were under attack.

I was able to write about six of these men on their 100th birthdays. Click on their names to read their stories. Sadly, I was only able to find photos of only a few of these men. If any readers can find photos, I would love to add them.

Welborn Ashby, USS West Virginia 

Lawrence Boxrucker, USS Oklahoma

Howard Carter, USS Dobbin

Leo Gagne, Hickam Field

Richard Livingston, Hickam Field

Eugene Skiles, USS Arizona, and his younger brother Charles

After the attack, the nation rallied behind the slogan "Remember Pearl Harbor." While at first this was used to motivate America to defeat the enemy, today it means more.

In his memoir All the Gallant Men: Am American Sailor's Firsthand Account of Pearl Harbor, one of the last Pearl Harbor survivors Donald Stratton wrote:

"We also remember it in order to hallow the memories of those who were lost. And that, I believe, is how past and present are connected, through remembrance.

"That is how I would like to conclude my words to you. May we all be reunited again very soon in the world to come. All the gallant men of the Arizona. And all the others gallant men who died on that date that lives in infamy."

Thank you Welborn and Lawrence and Howard and Leo and Richard and Eugene and Charles and all your comrades who tragically died 76 years ago today.

On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!

I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.

WW2 Fallen - TBM Avenger pilot George Scully, USS Langley

Lt. George Scully flew a TBM Avenger from the light carrier USS Langley.
https://ww2db.com/image.php?image_id=23706
27 Jan 1945 The Pittsburg Press
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/76202780/george-frederick-scully 

George Fredrick Scully never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.

He was born on August 15, 1919 in McKeesport, Pennsylvania. His parents John and Sophronia were born in Pennsylvania and West Virginia, respectively. His father worked as a tube mill foreman and later as a pipe mill electrical engineer. George had an older brother and sister. By 1940 he was attending the University of Arizona and obtained a private pilot license.

He enlisted in the US Navy in June 1941. He was trained as a torpedo bomber pilot and ended up flying TBM Avengers for VT-44 where he became the squadron commander with the rank of lieutenant. This carrier based squadron served on the light carrier USS Cabot beginning in September 1944. One month latter it was assigned to the light carrier USS Langley.

On October 7, 1944, Lt. Scully was flying a TCM-1c (#45499) Avenger torpedo bomber. He was lost near Formosa and was reported as missing in action. The US Navy was in the area to destroy land based Japanese bombers so they would not interfere with the upcoming invasion of Leyte.

His cenotaph grave is at Arlington National Cemetery.

Thank you Lt. Scully for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for George.

 Last year on this date I profiled Troy Blackburn, 7th Infantry Division. You can read about Troy here.

On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!

I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.

Follow on Twitter @ww2fallen100
Please consider joining the public Facebook group to increase the exposure of this project. Go to: WW2 Fallen 100

WW2 Fallen 100 is supported by

The Greatest GENERATIONS Foundation

“Where Every Day is Memorial Day”

http://www.tggf.org

WW2 Fallen - Arthur Newcomb, USS Grunion, a 65 year old mystery solved

Arthur Newcomb was a radioman on the USS Grunion. Its fate was unknown for 65 years.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/3738788/arthur-g-newcomb
https://submarinememorial.org/lostboatsfinished/ss216grunion.html
https://alchetron.com/USS-Grunion 

Arthur Golden Newcomb never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.

He was born on August 20, 1918 in Arizona. His parents Arthur and Bertha Young were born in Illinois and Wisconsin, respectively. His father worked as a bank teller and in 1927 was admitted into a home for disabled soldiers. By 1930 his mother had remarried and Arthur and his younger sister acquired a step brother and sister. It appears that Arthur changed his last name from Young to Newcomb, the name of his stepfather. 

He enlisted in the navy in February 1938. Four years later he reenlisted. He served as a radioman first class on the submarine USS Grunion.

Grunion departed Hawaii on her first war patrol on June 30, 1942. It was sent north to the Aleutian Islands. It never returned from its patrol and the fate of Grunion was a mystery for 65 years. It turns out that Grunion made an unsuccessful attack on the Japanese freighter Kanu Maru using the terribly performing torpedoes that plagued the American submarine forces early in the war. Its first torpedo ran low and failed to explode. The next two bounced off the target. The fourth torpedo circled back and hit the periscope support without exploding. The rear dive plane was also somehow damaged, sending the boat on an uncontrollable dive. Grunion imploded at 1000 feet and broke in two after hitting the sea floor 3,000 feet below the sea. The remains of the submarine were discovered in 2007 by an expedition started by the sons of Grunion's captain.

Radioman Newcomb's death date is reported as August 2, 1943. We now know that he and the other 69 men on Grunion died on July 30, 1942.

His cenotaph grave is at the Los Angeles National Cemetery.

Thank you Radioman Newcomb for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Arthur.

Last year on this date I profiled Himalayan hump pilot Elwood Wells. You can read about Elwood here.

On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!

I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.

Follow on Twitter @ww2fallen100
Please consider joining the public Facebook group to increase the exposure of this project. Go to: WW2 Fallen 100

WW2 Fallen 100 is supported by

The Greatest GENERATIONS Foundation

“Where Every Day is Memorial Day”

http://www.tggf.org