The Unsung Hero of Pearl Harbor A Civilian Worker's Remarkable Rescue Mission This article tells the inspiring story of Joe George, a civilian worker who became a hero at Pearl Harbor by rescuing his fellow sailors from the burning and sinking USS Arizona. Through his bravery and humanity, Joe George embodies the best of the American spirit and deserves recognition as one of the unsung heroes of the attack.
The Unsung Hero of Pearl Harbor A Civilian Worker's Remarkable Rescue Mission
Pearl Harbor is one of the most infamous events in American history, remembered for the surprise attack by the Japanese Imperial Navy on December 7, 1941, that killed over 2,400 people and plunged the United States into World War II. However, amid the chaos and carnage of that fateful day, there were also acts of courage, compassion, and resilience that deserve to be recognized and honoured. In this article, we will tell the story of a civilian worker who spearheaded one of Pearl Harbor's most successful rescue missions, risking his own life to save others and inspiring a legacy of selflessness and sacrifice.
Background: The Attack on Pearl Harbor
Before we delve into the heroism of our protagonist, it is important to provide some context about the attack on Pearl Harbor and its aftermath. On that Sunday morning, the Japanese launched a surprise air raid on the US Pacific Fleet stationed in Oahu, Hawaii, catching the American soldiers and sailors off guard and inflicting devastating damage on their ships, planes, and infrastructure. The attack lasted for about two hours, during which time the Japanese dropped bombs, torpedoes, and machine gun fire on their targets, causing chaos and panic among the defenders. The aftermath of the attack was equally chaotic, as the survivors struggled to cope with the trauma, the injuries, and the loss of their comrades. In the midst of this tragedy, however, some individuals stood out for their heroism and humanity.
The Hero: Joe George
One of those individuals was Joe George, a 26-year-old civilian who worked as a boatswain's mate at the US Navy base in Pearl Harbor. Joe was not a trained soldier or combat veteran, but he had a strong sense of duty and loyalty to his country and his fellow Americans. On the day of the attack, Joe was assigned to the repair ship USS Vestal, which was moored alongside the battleship USS Arizona, one of the primary targets of the Japanese bombers. When the bombs started falling, Joe and his crewmates realized that they were in mortal danger and that they had to do something to survive. They tried to cut the lines that connected the Vestal to the Arizona, but they were too thick and too tightly secured. As the smoke and flames engulfed the two ships, Joe spotted a group of sailors on the Arizona's deck who were trapped and vulnerable. He knew that he had to act quickly and decisively to save them.
The Mission: Rescuing the Sailors
Despite the danger and the odds against him, Joe decided to jump from the Vestal to the Arizona, using a rope as a makeshift bridge. He landed on the Arizona's deck and found four sailors who were badly injured and unable to move. He carried them one by one to the rope and lowered them to the safety of the Vestal's deck. He also helped several other sailors to climb to the rope and cross over to the Vestal. However, as he was about to jump back to his own ship, Joe noticed a fifth sailor who was too injured to move and too far away to reach. He knew that he could not leave him behind, so he took a riskier and more daring approach. He tied a line around the sailor's waist, jumped into the water, and swam with him to the Vestal, towing him all the way. His heroic actions saved the lives of at least six sailors, and earned him the gratitude and respect of his colleagues and commanders.
The Aftermath: Recognition and Legacy
After the attack, Joe George continued to serve in the Navy for several years, participating in other battles and missions. However, unfortunately, Joe George's heroism was not officially recognized until decades later. He did not receive any medals or commendations for his actions at Pearl Harbor, partly because he was a civilian and partly because the military bureaucracy was slow and bureaucratic. However, his story was not forgotten, thanks to the efforts of his fellow sailors and their families who remembered and honored his bravery. In 1991, the US Navy finally acknowledged Joe George's role in the rescue mission and awarded him a posthumous Bronze Star Medal. The citation read:
For heroic achievement in connection with the attack on the USS Arizona on December 7, 1941. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, Boatswain's Mate Second Class George courageously rescued several men who were trapped on board the Arizona and was instrumental in saving the life of at least one man who otherwise would have perished.His actions reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service."
Joe George's legacy also lives on through the efforts of his family, friends, and supporters who have advocated for his recognition and memorialization. In 2017, the USS Arizona Memorial Gardens at Wesley Bolin Plaza in Phoenix, Arizona, unveiled a statue of Joe George, depicting him as he appeared on the day of the attack, with a rope in his hand and determination in his face. The statue is a tribute to all the unsung heroes of Pearl Harbor who risked their lives to save others and uphold the values of courage, loyalty, and sacrifice.
Finally: Honoring the Hero
Joe George was a civilian worker who became a hero at Pearl Harbor, by taking a bold and selfless action to rescue his fellow sailors from the burning and sinking USS Arizona. His bravery and humanity inspired others and earned him a place in history as one of the unsung heroes of the attack. By telling his story and recognizing his legacy, we can honor the values he embodied and celebrate the best of the American spirit. We hope that this article will help raise awareness of Joe George's heroism and contribute to his rightful place in the annals of American history.
FAQs:
Q: Who was Joe
George?
A: Joe George was a civilian worker at Pearl Harbor who became a hero during the attack on December 7, 1941.
Q: What did
Joe George do at Pearl Harbor?
A: Joe George helped rescue several sailors from the burning and sinking USS Arizona by throwing them a rope and pulling them to safety.
Q: Why was Joe
George not officially recognized for his heroism at the time?
A: Joe George was not officially recognized for his actions because he was a civilian and the military bureaucracy was slow and bureaucratic.
Q: Has Joe
George been recognized for his heroism since then?
A: Yes, Joe George was posthumously awarded a Bronze Star Medal in 1991 and a statue was erected in his honor in 2017.
Sources:
· The primary source for this article is the Smithsonian Magazine article "The Civilian Worker Who Spearheaded Pearl Harbor's Most Successful Rescue Mission" by Sarah Pruitt, which provides a detailed account of Joe George's actions and their impact.
· Other sources include historical records, interviews with Joe George's family and fellow sailors, and news articles about his recognition and memorialization.