Menu Expand Menu Close
Back to Top
Filter Search Expand Close Filter
Search Expand Search Close
The installation of U.S.S. West Virginia's mast nears completion at Memorial Plaza on the campus of West Virginia University. The Mountainlair and Stewart Hall are visible in the background.

7. U.S.S. West Virginia Mast in Memorial Plaza, Morgantown, W. Va.

IDNO:
052287
Title:
U.S.S. West Virginia Mast in Memorial Plaza, Morgantown, W. Va.
Date:
ca. 1961-1963
Description:
The installation of U.S.S. West Virginia's mast nears completion at Memorial Plaza on the campus of West Virginia University. The Mountainlair and Stewart Hall are visible in the background.
L to R: Jack Miller, Frank Kosa, Clifford Olds.Olds and 2 other crew members , Ronald Endicott and Louis Costin were trapped in a sealed compartment in the West Virginia's bow after it sank on December 7th. Any rescue attempt meant certain death. The 3 stayed alive until December 24th according to a marked calendar found with their bodies which were recovered after the ship was raised from the harbor bottom in May, 1942.

8. U.S.S. West Virginia Sailors Hoist Their Glasses at Monkey Bar, Pearl Harbor, HI

IDNO:
052260
Title:
U.S.S. West Virginia Sailors Hoist Their Glasses at Monkey Bar, Pearl Harbor, HI
Date:
1941/12/06
Description:
L to R: Jack Miller, Frank Kosa, Clifford Olds.Olds and 2 other crew members , Ronald Endicott and Louis Costin were trapped in a sealed compartment in the West Virginia's bow after it sank on December 7th. Any rescue attempt meant certain death. The 3 stayed alive until December 24th according to a marked calendar found with their bodies which were recovered after the ship was raised from the harbor bottom in May, 1942.
Captain Bennion was killed during the attack on Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941. As he laid mortally wounded on the West Virginia's command bridge, Bennion refused to be removed from his burning ship. He continued to give orders, directing his crew's actions. Bennion's last order to his men before he died was to leave him and "abandon ship." Captain Bennion was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.

9. USN Captain Mervyn S. Bennion, U.S.S. West Virginia

IDNO:
052259
Title:
USN Captain Mervyn S. Bennion, U.S.S. West Virginia
Date:
ca. 1940
Description:
Captain Bennion was killed during the attack on Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941. As he laid mortally wounded on the West Virginia's command bridge, Bennion refused to be removed from his burning ship. He continued to give orders, directing his crew's actions. Bennion's last order to his men before he died was to leave him and "abandon ship." Captain Bennion was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.
Fern Evan's husband, GM3e Woodrow W. Evans was killed aboard the U.S.S. West Virginia during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, leaving Fern to support herself and their 20 month old son. Subsequently, Mrs. Evans was employed at a West Coast aircraft plant. She's shown here working on a radio bracket for a bomber.

10. Fern Evans in West Coast Aircraft Plant

IDNO:
052258
Title:
Fern Evans in West Coast Aircraft Plant
Date:
1942/05
Description:
Fern Evan's husband, GM3e Woodrow W. Evans was killed aboard the U.S.S. West Virginia during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, leaving Fern to support herself and their 20 month old son. Subsequently, Mrs. Evans was employed at a West Coast aircraft plant. She's shown here working on a radio bracket for a bomber.
Smoke billows from the U.S.S. West Virginia, which is pictured in the back and center of the photograph. The ship eventually sank.Floating on the left is the U.S.S. Maryland. On the right is a capsized U.S.S. Oklahoma.

11. Damaged Battleships following Japanese Attack, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii

IDNO:
052131
Title:
Damaged Battleships following Japanese Attack, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
Date:
1941/12/07
Description:
Smoke billows from the U.S.S. West Virginia, which is pictured in the back and center of the photograph. The ship eventually sank.Floating on the left is the U.S.S. Maryland. On the right is a capsized U.S.S. Oklahoma.
Smoke rises from the sinking battleship, which was hit by seven torpedoes and two bombs.

12. Damaged U.S.S. West Virginia after Japanese Attack, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii

IDNO:
052130
Title:
Damaged U.S.S. West Virginia after Japanese Attack, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
Date:
1941/12/07
Description:
Smoke rises from the sinking battleship, which was hit by seven torpedoes and two bombs.