Fireman Joseph Carrol, born in Caddo, Texas, who died aboard the USS Oklahoma during the Dec. 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, will be buried in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Honolulu, Hawaii on Aug. 21.
Birthplace: Caddo, Texas
Date: March 7, 1921
Hometown: Fairmont, West Virginia
Enlisted: Baltimore, Maryland
Date: July 11, 1940
Rating: Fireman 2nd Class (F2c)
Despite the name, this rating is not just about fighting fires. Part of the job functions include rescue, but the career path is also geared towards engineering. Firemen stand engineering watches, as well as power plant and ship security watches both in port and while underway and are responsible for performing minor maintenance repairs. While performing watches they ensure all safety standards are being met with any associated engineering machinery. Firemen also assist with underway replenishment including transferring fuel and supplies.
Promotions:
Seaman Apprentice upon enlistment
Seaman 2nd Class: 11/11/1940
Fireman 3rd Class: 03/07/1941
Fireman 2nd Class: 10/01/1941
Duty Stations (partial):
USS Oklahoma (BB 37): 10/09/1940
Naval Training Station Norfolk, Virginia: 07/12/1940
Awards and Decorations*
Purple Heart Medal
Combat Action Ribbon
American Defense Service Medal (Fleet Clasp)
Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal (with Bronze Star)
World War II Victory Medal
This biography reflects only information present in the service member’s Official Military Personnel File and NAVPERS 1650, Transmittal of and/or Entitlement to Awards. Many Pearl Harbor records were lost as a result of the attack, so certain Sailors’ entries may be incomplete.
