State Heroes

Fireman Third Class Richard E. Nelson

Harwood, ND

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. Killed during the attack on Pearl Harbor. Remains not recovered.

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.

Seaman First Class Earl Nermoe

Upham, ND

World War II (WWII)

Branch of Service: Navy

Company / Ship / Flight or equivalent: USS West Virginia

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

Navy Seaman 1C Class Earl Nermoe was assigned to the battleship USS West Virginia that was hit by two bombs and at least seven torpedoes from Japanese airplanes on Dec. 7, 1941.

Gunner's Mate Third Class John M. Emery

Gardner, ND

World War II (WWII)

Branch of Service: Navy

Company / Ship / Flight or equivalent: USS Arizona

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

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

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. 

Corporal Edwin C. Borusky

Langdon, ND

World War II (WWII)

Branch of Service: Marines

Company / Ship / Flight or equivalent: USS Arizona

Date of Loss: December 07, 1941 / Age:

Aboard USS Arizona during attack on Pearl Harbor. Remains not recovered.

Seaman Second Class Charles H. Johannes

Foxholm, ND

World War II (WWII)

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: