Boatswain's Mate Second Class Joseph L. George posthumously received the Bronze Star with a V for Valor for his actions on December 7, 1941. He was on board the repair ship USS Vestal tied next to the Arizona at Pearl Harbor.
A Japanese bomb exploded the ammunition storage on the USS Arizona, dealing a fatal blow to the ship and it's complement. Six of the Arizona sailors managed to find their way to the deck, but still trapped and badly burned. George, after several attempts, successfully threw a heaving line bridging the 80 foot distance between the two ships. The sailors were able to transfer over to the Vestal traversing the rope hand over hand.
Captain Cassin Young of the Vestal back in 1941, commended his actions by not only aiding men from the Arizona but assisted in getting the Vestal clear of the burning Arizona.
After his passing, his daughter heard tapes George had recorded for a oral history and learned of his heroism. Navy regulations require two sworn affidavits from eyewitnesses. Against all odds, two of the five still surviving sailors from the Arizona were the men that George rescued. Finally in July of 2017, he received the Bronze Star for his actions on that horrible day.
Military Information: BMC, US NAVY
A Japanese bomb exploded the ammunition storage on the USS Arizona, dealing a fatal blow to the ship and it's complement. Six of the Arizona sailors managed to find their way to the deck, but still trapped and badly burned. George, after several attempts, successfully threw a heaving line bridging the 80 foot distance between the two ships. The sailors were able to transfer over to the Vestal traversing the rope hand over hand.
Captain Cassin Young of the Vestal back in 1941, commended his actions by not only aiding men from the Arizona but assisted in getting the Vestal clear of the burning Arizona.
After his passing, his daughter heard tapes George had recorded for a oral history and learned of his heroism. Navy regulations require two sworn affidavits from eyewitnesses. Against all odds, two of the five still surviving sailors from the Arizona were the men that George rescued. Finally in July of 2017, he received the Bronze Star for his actions on that horrible day.
Military Information: BMC, US NAVY
Boatswain's Mate Second Class Joseph L. George posthumously received the Bronze Star with a V for Valor for his actions on December 7, 1941. He was on board the repair ship USS Vestal tied next to the Arizona at Pearl Harbor.
A Japanese bomb exploded the ammunition storage on the USS Arizona, dealing a fatal blow to the ship and it's complement. Six of the Arizona sailors managed to find their way to the deck, but still trapped and badly burned. George, after several attempts, successfully threw a heaving line bridging the 80 foot distance between the two ships. The sailors were able to transfer over to the Vestal traversing the rope hand over hand.
Captain Cassin Young of the Vestal back in 1941, commended his actions by not only aiding men from the Arizona but assisted in getting the Vestal clear of the burning Arizona.
After his passing, his daughter heard tapes George had recorded for a oral history and learned of his heroism. Navy regulations require two sworn affidavits from eyewitnesses. Against all odds, two of the five still surviving sailors from the Arizona were the men that George rescued. Finally in July of 2017, he received the Bronze Star for his actions on that horrible day.
Military Information: BMC, US NAVY
A Japanese bomb exploded the ammunition storage on the USS Arizona, dealing a fatal blow to the ship and it's complement. Six of the Arizona sailors managed to find their way to the deck, but still trapped and badly burned. George, after several attempts, successfully threw a heaving line bridging the 80 foot distance between the two ships. The sailors were able to transfer over to the Vestal traversing the rope hand over hand.
Captain Cassin Young of the Vestal back in 1941, commended his actions by not only aiding men from the Arizona but assisted in getting the Vestal clear of the burning Arizona.
After his passing, his daughter heard tapes George had recorded for a oral history and learned of his heroism. Navy regulations require two sworn affidavits from eyewitnesses. Against all odds, two of the five still surviving sailors from the Arizona were the men that George rescued. Finally in July of 2017, he received the Bronze Star for his actions on that horrible day.
Military Information: BMC, US NAVY
