Local veterans to mark Pearl Harbor Day at WVU's Oglebay Plaza
More than 2,400 U.S. military personnel and civilians died in the Japanese attack on the U.S. Pacific fleet at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. The attack propelled America into World War II. The USS West Virginia sank after being hit by seven torpedoes and two bombs but was refurbished for service during the war. The ship was decommissioned after the war, and the mast from the ship now stands in Oglebay Plaza as a tribute to veterans of the conflict.
(Media-Newswire.com) - James “Jimmy” McCartney, a World War II veteran and longtime supporter of West Virginia University; Forest J. Bowman, WVU professor emeritus of law; Darrell McGraw, West Virginia attorney general and WVU alumnus; John Horne, ceremony coordinator; Billy Williams, Korean War veteran; Jay Kuhn, former Navy chaplain; 201st Infantry Field Artillery; 249th Army Band; WVU Army and Air Force ROTC units; and others
WHAT: Pearl Harbor Day ceremony
WHEN: Sunday ( Dec. 7 ), 11 a.m.
WHERE: Oglebay Plaza
DETAILS: Participants will meet at VFW Post 548 on Spruce Street about 10:15 a.m., then march to Oglebay Plaza.
BACKGROUND: More than 2,400 U.S. military personnel and civilians died in the Japanese attack on the U.S. Pacific fleet at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. The attack propelled America into World War II.
The USS West Virginia sank after being hit by seven torpedoes and two bombs but was refurbished for service during the war. The ship was decommissioned after the war, and the mast from the ship now stands in Oglebay Plaza as a tribute to veterans of the conflict.
The bell from the armored cruiser USS West Virginia also occupies a spot on the plaza.
jd/12/2/08 Contacts: John Horne Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 548 Office: ( 304 ) 296-5711
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This story was released on 2008-12-03. Please make sure to visit the official company or organization web site to learn more about the original release date. See our disclaimer for additional information.