Sailor's Remains Lost in Pearl Harbor Attack Come Home: Ensign Joseph P. Hittorff, Jr.

From the June 10, 2016, Litchfield (Connecticut) County Times by Diane Lang.

Ensign Joseph P. Hittorff, Jr, was on the battleship USS Oklahoma that day in Pearl Harbor and lost his life.  His remains have recently been identified and he will be buried with full military honors June 18th in Kent, Connecticut.

He was a ember of the USNA Class of 1940.

Herbert Rommell, shipmate, wrote to Joseph Hittorff's family afterwards and said that Joseph reported to the engine room when the alarm went off in order to attempt to get the ship underway.  "When last seen, he was in the machine shop, which is right above the engine room."

The Oklahoma was hit by many torpedoes in rapid succession and keeled over rapidly.  Some of the men down there abandoned ship.  But Joe decided to stay in an attempt to get the ship underway.  He went down to the starboard engine room.

And, that was the end for him.

Brave To the End.  --GreGen