State Heroes
World War II
1941
EM2C Steve L. Lesmeister
Harvey, NDWorld War II
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.
1941
Seaman 1c George W. Hammerud
Valley City, NDWorld War II
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.
1941
S1c Vernon J. Eidsvig
Kathryn, NDWorld War II
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.Â
1941
Fireman 1c Charles Ray Casto
World War II
Branch of Service: Navy
Company / Ship / Flight or equivalent: USS Oklahoma
Date of Loss: December 07, 1941 / Age: 19
Killed in action on the USS Oklahoma. Remains accounted for on November 21, 2016. by DPAA
1941
Fireman 3c Richard E. Nelson
Harwood, NDWorld War II
Branch of Service: Navy
Company / Ship / Flight or equivalent: USS Arizona
Date of Loss: December 07, 1941 / Age: 20
Died while in MIA status. Killed during the attack on Pearl Harbor. Remains not recovered.
1941
Gunner's Mate 1st Class Arthur Clarence Neuenschwander
Fessenden, ND
World War II
Branch of Service: Navy
Company / Ship / Flight or equivalent: USS Oklahoma
Date of Loss: December 07, 1941 / Age: 34
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:
1941
Fireman 1c Lawrence Herman Fecho
Upham, ND
World War II
Branch of Service: Navy
Company / Ship / Flight or equivalent: USS Oklahoma
Date of Loss: December 07, 1941 / Age: 20
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:
1941
Machinist's Mate 2nd Class Claire R. Brier
World War II
Branch of Service: Navy
Date of Loss: December 07, 1941 / Age: 26
Killed in action in Pearl Harbor.
1941
Radioman 2c Floyd Arthur Wells
Cavalier, ND
World War II
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.
1941
PFC James A. Krahn
Langdon, NDWorld War II
Branch of Service: Marines
Company / Ship / Flight or equivalent: USS Arizona
Date of Loss: December 07, 1941 / Age:
Aboard USS Arizona. Remains not recovered.
1941
Seaman 2c Charles H. Johannes
Foxholm, ND
World War II
Branch of Service: Navy
Company / Ship / Flight or equivalent: USS Oklahoma
Date of Loss: December 07, 1941 / Age:
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:
1941
Fire Controlman 2c Elroy V. Peterson
World War II
Branch of Service: Navy
Company / Ship / Flight or equivalent: USS Arizona
Date of Loss: December 07, 1941 / Age:
Died while in MIA status.
1941
Private Byron G. Elliott
World War II
Branch of Service: Army
Regiment / Group / Brigade: 5th AAF Bomber Group
Date of Loss: December 07, 1941 / Age: 20
Killed in action during the Pearl Harbor attack in Hickham Field, Hawaii
1941
Shipfitter 2nd Class Joseph Paul F. Bernard
World War II
Branch of Service: Navy
Company / Ship / Flight or equivalent: USS Arizona
Date of Loss: December 07, 1941 / Age: 26
Killed in action in Pearl Harbor Attack
From DPAA
1941
RM2c Walter Howard Backman
Wilton, ND
World War II
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.