State Heroes Total:
447
Service Branch

World War II (WWII)

Steve L. Lesmeister photo 1941

Electrician's Mate Second Class Steve L. Lesmeister

Harvey, ND

World War II (WWII)

Branch of Service: Navy

Company / Ship / Flight or equivalent: USS Arizona

Date of Loss: December 07, 1941 / Age: 22

A native of Selz, North Dakota. Killed in action on December 7, 1941 at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii while serving aboard the battleship USS Arizona.

Vernon J. Eidsvig photo 1941

Seaman First Class Vernon J. Eidsvig

Kathryn, ND

World War II (WWII)

Branch of Service: Navy

Company / Ship / Flight or equivalent: USS Utah

Date of Loss: December 07, 1941 / Age: 20

Served aboard the USS Utah and was reported MIA following the attack on Pearl Harbor. Remains not recovered. 

Wilferd Dewey Palmer photo 1941

Seaman Second Class Wilferd Dewey Palmer

Minot, ND

World War II (WWII)

Branch of Service: Navy

Company / Ship / Flight or equivalent: USS Oaklahoma

Date of Loss: December 07, 1941 / Age: 21

Died while in MIA status. Crew member aboard the USS Oklahoma, killed during the attack on Pearl Harbor along with 428 fellow crewmen.

North Dakotans lost on the Oklahoma:

Joseph Schdowski photo 1941

Seaman First Class Joseph Schdowski

World War II (WWII)

Branch of Service: Navy

Company / Ship / Flight or equivalent: USS Arizona

Date of Loss: December 07, 1941 / Age:

Died while in MIA status. USS Arizona. Pearl Harbor. Remains not recovered. 

Floyd Arthur Wells photo 1941

Radioman Second Class Floyd Arthur Wells

Cavalier, ND

World War II (WWII)

Branch of Service: Navy

Company / Ship / Flight or equivalent: USS Arizona

Date of Loss: December 07, 1941 / Age: 24

Died while in MIA status after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Remains identified in 2020. returned to North Dakota September 2020.

Elroy V. Peterson photo 1941

Fire Controlman Second Class Elroy V. Peterson

World War II (WWII)

Branch of Service: Navy

Company / Ship / Flight or equivalent: USS Arizona

Date of Loss: December 07, 1941 / Age:

Died while in MIA status.

Walter Howard Backman photo 1941

Radioman Second Class Walter Howard Backman

Wilton, ND

World War II (WWII)

Branch of Service: Navy

Company / Ship / Flight or equivalent: USS Oklahoma

Date of Loss: December 07, 1941 / Age: 22

Killed during the attack on Pearl Harbor. His body was recovered July 17, 2017.

George W. Hammerud photo 1941

Seaman First Class George W. Hammerud

Valley City, ND

World War II (WWII)

Branch of Service: Navy

Company / Ship / Flight or equivalent: USS Arizona

Date of Loss: December 07, 1941 / Age:

Died while in MIA status after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Remains not recovered.

Richard S. Sherven photo 1941

Electrician's Mate Third Class Richard S. Sherven

World War II (WWII)

Branch of Service: Navy

Company / Ship / Flight or equivalent: USS Arizona

Date of Loss: December 07, 1941 / Age: 20

Died while in MIA status after the attack on Pearl Harbor. USS Arizona. Remains not recovered.

Calvin Harry Palmer photo 1941

Seaman Second Class Calvin Harry Palmer

Minot

World War II (WWII)

Branch of Service: Navy

Company / Ship / Flight or equivalent: USS Oklahoma

Date of Loss: December 07, 1941 / Age: 23

Died while in MIA status. Crew member aboard the USS Oklahoma, killed during the attack on Pearl Harbor along with 428 fellow crewmen. 

North Dakotans lost on the Oklahoma:

Paul J. Register photo 1941

Lieutenant Commander Paul J. Register

Bismarck, ND

Branch of Service: Navy

Company / Ship / Flight or equivalent: USS Arizona

Date of Loss: December 07, 1941 / Age: 42

Killed in action when the USS Arizona was sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 at the beginning of WWII.

Howard T. Anderson photo 1941

Fireman First Class Howard T. Anderson

Branch of Service: Navy

Company / Ship / Flight or equivalent: USS Arizona

Date of Loss: December 07, 1941 / Age:

Killed in action during the Attack on Pearl Harbor. Remains not recovered.