Oklahoma native Aaron McMurtrey died aboard the USS California during the Dec. 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor. Seaman 1st Class McMurtrey will be buried in Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors on Thursday, Feb. 13.

McMurtrey was born Feb. 14, 1914, in Kemp, Oklahoma. His hometown was Durant, Oklahoma, and enlisted into the Navy on Oct. 5, 1940, in Dallas, Texas. He served at the Naval Training Station in San Diego, Cali. before he was assigned to the USS California on Nov. 24, 1940.

As a Seaman on the USS California, McMurtrey performed ordinary deck duties to maintain the ship, like painting, cleaning, maintenance or equipment and polishing the ship's bridgework. Along with his ship upkeep duties, he also stood watch as a lookout and served as a telephone talker and messenger. McMurtrey was also a member of a gun crew.

Navy Personnel Command Public Affairs Office
Navy Personnel Command Public Affairs Office
loading...

McMurtrey's awards and decorations include the Purple Heart Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Service Medal (First Clasp) and American Campaign Medal.

McMurtrey's ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery will take place at 3 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 13.

Navy Personnel Command Public Affairs Office
Navy Personnel Command Public Affairs Office
loading...

USS California sunk in shallow water at Pearl Harbor after the attack.

On Dec. 7, 1941, the USS California was moored on the southeast side of Ford Island and it was the southernmost ship along Battleship Row. During the attack, sailors on the ship utilized the ships two five-inch guns and two .50-cal machine guns. While the sailors moved ammunition form below deck, the ship was struck by a pair of torpedoes and bombs.

The USS California was primed for an inspection that day, therefore the ship's watertight doors were open. The doors were being closed as the torpedoes struck and the ship began to flood. Uncontrolled flooding allowed water to enter the ship's fuel tanks, shutting off the ships electrical system and hindering the efforts of reviving the ship.

Dive-bombers repeatedly attacked the USS California and a penetrated the deck and detonated in the ship's interior, causing extensive damage, started a serious fire and killed around 50 men. The fire also disabled the ship's electrical system after the crew managed to repair four boilers. This prevented the pumps from being able to keep the ship afloat. The USS California slowly filled with water over the following three days and eventually sank.

Ninety eight men died that day on the USS California and 61 were wounded in the attack. Four sailors from the USS California were posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for their heroism during the attack.

Navy Personnel Command Public Affairs Office
Navy Personnel Command Public Affairs Office
loading...

Images of Pearl Harbor - The Day and the Memorial

December 7, 1941. The day which has lived in infamy. The day Japan attacked the American naval base in Hawaii and brought the US into World War II.

16 Iconic Pearl Harbor Images

Herr are 16 iconic photos that capture the day that will live in infamy.

Gallery Credit: Credit - Polly McAdams

More From 1073 Popcrush