12/07/2007

A Tribute to Those Who Defended

PEARL HARBOR

And Were Awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor

December 7, 1941
Honor, Courage, Commitment

Mervyn Sharp Bennion

Captain, US Navy

Mortally wounded while defending USS Virginia.

John William Finn

Lieutenant, US Navy

Manned .50 caliber machine gun despite severe wounds.

Francis C. Flaherty

Ensign, US Naval Reserve

(Born in Michigan)

Died helping crew escape a capsizing USS Oklahoma.

Samuel Glenn Fuqua

Captain, US Navy

Remained on his ship despite explosion and fire until satisfied that all crew had been moved to safety.

Edwin Joseph Hill

Chief Boatswain, US Navy

Was killed in an explosion while attempting to remove anchors from the USS Nevada.

Herbert Charpoit Jones

Ensign, US Naval Reserve

Was mortally wounded while delivering additional antiaircraft ammunition.

Men attempted to rescue him while he was still conscious.

He refused--thinking of their safety.

Isaac Campbell Kidd

Rear Admiral, US Navy

Courageously led others from a position of danger and was killed in an explosion.

Jackson Charles Pharris

Lieutenant, US Navy

Retrieved shipmates from the USS California and kept the ammunition supply line open. Was rendered unconscious twice, but recovered and continued his work.

Thomas James Reeves

Radio Electrician, US Navy

Supplied ammunition by hand in the burning USS California. Died from smoke inhalation and exposure to fire.

Donald Kirby Ross

Machinist, US Navy

Forced shipmates to leave their post and manned it by himself despite smoke and blinding heat. Continued until found unconscious.

Robert R. Scott

Machinist's Mate First Class, US Navy

Refused to leave his assigned battle station.

Peter Tomich

Chief Watertender, US Navy

Lost his life ensuring all fire personnel escaped their post.

Franklin Van Valkenburgh

Captain, US Navy

Fought for his ship until he lost his life in an explosion.

James Richard Ward

Seaman First Class, US Navy

Assisted shipmates of USS Oklahoma by flashlight. Died doing so.

Cassin Young

Commander, US Navy

Was blown off his ship by an explosion. Swam back and proceeded to lead the effort to save his ship.

A dedication to those who exhibited the key qualities of the United States Navy:

You were honorable.
You were courageous.
You were committed.

I have a special connection to the United States Navy, and on this day I remember the seamen that set the standards for this branch of the military. Many of these men were responsible for saving countless lives. Many of them lost their own life.

Here is the newest chapter in Kyle's Navy saga:

Yesterday Kyle was to be 'classed up.' This means that he would return to normal training. Unbeknown st to the Navy, Kyle is still still waiting for a fractured wrist to heal. The strenuous training could have been detrimental to the healing of Kyle's wrist. But, remember how I was thinking about God's timing? Get this--Kyle ended up with severe food poisoning and has been medically ordered not to train for a week. Praise the Lord for food poisoning! It seems clear there is a greater plan than any of us could imagine...