State Heroes

Shipfitter Second Class Joseph Paul F. Bernard

World War II (WWII)

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

Coxswain Chester F. Klesit

World War II (WWII)

Branch of Service: Navy

Date of Loss: December 07, 1941 / Age: 33

Killed in action in the attack on Pearl Harbor

Gunner's Mate First Class Arthur Clarence Neuenschwander

Fessenden, ND

World War II (WWII)

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:

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.

Fireman First Class Clifford N. Olos

World War II (WWII)

Branch of Service: Navy

Company / Ship / Flight or equivalent: USS West Virginia

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

Was aboard the USS West Virgina which was bombed at Pearl Harbor. Apparently he and two other ship mates lived for 16 days in the fresh water pumping station known as A-111.

Sergeant Hermann G. Schmidt

Beulah, ND

World War II (WWII)

Branch of Service: Army

Date of Loss: December 20, 1941 / Age:

Killed in action in the Philippines.

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.