The USS North Carolina (BB-55) My all-time favorite warship. As an elementary school student in North Carolina, I donated nickels and dimes to save this ship back in the early sixties.

Thursday, February 16, 2023

USS Oklahoma Unknown Herman Schmidt to Be Buried at Arlington National Cemetery-- Part 1

From the February 14, 2023, Cowboy State Daily (Wyoming) "Sheridan sailor killed at Pearl Harbor to be buried in Arlington National Cemetery" by  Wendy Corr.

In 1941,  28-year-old Herman Schmidt of Sheridan, Wyoming,  was a Gunner's Mate  3rd Class on the battleship USS Oklahoma, a Nevada-class battleship moored in berth Fox 5 on Battleship Row at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

Schmidt, who grew up in Sheridan had joined the Navy in 1937 and had been assigned to the USS Oklahoma.  On the morning of December 7, 1941, he and his crewmates on the ship were enjoying a quiet Sunday morning when his and many others had their world came to an abrupt and terrifying end.

At about ten minutes to 8 that Sunday morning, three torpedoes struck the Oklahoma, dropped from Japanese planes from the carriers Akagi and Kaga.  The Oklahoma immediately began listing to,its port side and eventually capsized, trapping hundreds below deck.

A total of eight torpedoes hit the ship and  429 servicemen died.

--GreGen


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