Pearl Harbor Hero Finally Gets His Due… Thanks to Another Pearl Harbor Hero
On December 7, 1941, the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service unleashed a furious surprise attack on Pearl Harbor.
There was no declaration of war because the United States was still neutral in World War II. The attack involved more than 350 fighter planes, bombers and torpedo planes launched from six aircraft carriers.
Before it finally ended, the horrific attack resulted in 2,403 Americans killed and 1,178 injured. All eight U.S. Navy battleships at Pearl Harbor were damaged. Four sank.
The Japanese also damaged or sank three cruisers and three destroyers. Plus an anti-aircraft training ship and one minelayer. And they destroyed 188 U.S. aircraft.
Dramatic Rescue Saves Stratton’s Life
A Seaman First Class named Donald Stratton was one of many sailors and officers aboard the USS Arizona on that fateful day.
One million pounds of explosives detonated under his battle station. The 19-year-old suffered burns across two-thirds of his body.
Thanks to a young man aboard the repair ship USS Vestal, Stratton pulled himself hand over hand across a tethered rope. About 50 feet below him, the harbor was a mixture of water and oil. Enemy bullets struck it over and over again.
Once Stratton was rescued and the attack ended, doctors ordered his limbs amputated. But he refused. Eventually, Stratton learned to walk again. And three years later, he returned to the war on a destroyer in the Pacific Ocean.
A Quest to Honor His Rescuer
Even if that were the end of the story, it would be a miraculous one. In fact, Stratton turned his true story into a book titled All the Gallant Men: The First Memoir by a USS Arizona Survivor.
To this day, the USS Arizona is the only battleship sunk at Pearl Harbor that was never raised. It remains at the bottom of the harbor.
But Stratton’s story lives on. Why? Because he refused to forget the person who saved his life.
And 76 years after Pearl Harbor, Stratton finally got his wish. To honor the man who saved sailors from certain death on the sinking USS Arizona.
Petty Officer Rises to the Occasion
Stratton, age 95, is one of only five living survivors from that ship. And he says he owes it to a man named Joseph George.
George was working onboard the repair ship USS Vestal when the attack occurred.
Explosions occurred all around him. Bullets came from many directions. But the second-class petty officer knew his duty.
George risked his life to save the lives of several sailors trapped on the USS Arizona platform. He retired from the Navy in 1955 and passed away 41 years later.
George Honored at Pearl Harbor
George’s family tried to have him honored for his heroism by the U.S. government through the decades. But it didn’t happen.
For many years, Stratton did not know the name of the man who saved him. Once he found out, Stratton joined the effort to honor him.
Stratton was so passionate about his quest that he arranged to discuss the situation with President Donald Trump in the White House in August 2017.
USS Arizona that was sunk at Pearl Harbor in 1941, meets
with President Donald Trump in 2017.
Then, on December 7, 2017, George finally received his due. George’s daughter, Joe Ann Taylor, accepted the Bronze Star Medal on behalf of her deceased father in a ceremony at the USS Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor.
Trump Lauds George’s Courage
Rear Admiral Matthew J. Carter, deputy commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, presented the medal.
Taylor said her father rarely discussed his years in World War II while she was growing up. But after retiring, he started attending reunions. Gradually, she heard the entire story.
“It was kind of surreal,” Taylor said in a recently published article. “You grow up with your dad thinking of him as dad; you’re not used to thinking of him as a hero.”
But he was a hero, indeed. Putting out fires where he could and hauling wounded sailors from the USS Arizona to the USS Vestal, his efforts won’t be forgotten.
President Trump said this about George: “We will always honor and remember a man whose courage knew no limits.”
Stratton Happy His Rescuer Was Honored
Stratton was thrilled that George finally received the recognition he deserved for so long.
Stratton was born in 1922 and raised in Red Cloud, Nebraska. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy after graduating from high school in 1940.
After recovering from his Pearl Harbor injuries, he re-joined the Navy and was commissioned to the destroyer USS Stack. He served in the New Guinea, Philippines and Okinawa campaigns in the Pacific from 1944 to 1945.
Stratton lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado, now at peace that the hero who saved his life has finally been honored.
Yes for sure
Good always comes to them that do good a great man. There are Manet more. That need to be onerd
That’s probably why they are called “‘The Greatest Generation”. I encounter young people who are serving in the military and those who wish to do so and are preparing to do so by joining Junior ROTC at school. They are dedicated and will talk for hours about their service; they are enthusiastic — and I listen. Please show support for them because sadly many of their peers do not. They are ridiculed. These are the same people who do not stand for the flag. I am amazed and confounded by this ignorance, but I still have hope because of the young men and women who do proudly serve.
So sad it took so very many years for this brave soldier to get the recognition he deserved. So happy we have Pres. Trump who respects our military for honoring him.
Thank you for sharing this story. And his acknowledgement finally happened because we have a Patriotic President! Unfortunately, the press won’t share great stories like these. Congratulations to George’s family.
I am grateful that Stratton and George finally get the recognition from our government that they so richly deserve. Should not have taken this long, but I’m happy we all get to see it!
May GOD bless all present and past soldiers,sailors,marines and airman for there heroic deeds now and forever.
Thanks for sharing this incredible story. As the wife of a deceased veteran of the Korean War, I know there are many heros from many wa we have never head about. Thank you for sharing this one and the fact that it is never too late to honor our fallen fighting men! Praises to the man who held on through the years to find and honor this man!
Mr. George should have a Medalof Honor.
Mr. George should have a Medal of Honor.
I graduated from HS 05/41. I had a friend die in the sinking of USS Oklahoma which was later raised. There were many heroes at Pearl Harbor that fateful day! God Bless America!
First, thank you for this inspiring article, and certainly, a Big thank you to President Trump for listening to the requests to honor this fine man and show him the appreciation due him. God bless all !!
The article does not indicate whether or not the Bronze Star carried a “V” (for valor). Without that addition, a bronze star can be awarded for distinguished service rendered far from a battle field. If the description of that sailors actions are correct, it seems to me that a Silver Star would be
a Silver Star would be justified.
Story so moving. So glad he was honored for his great act of heroism.
Thank God we have a President who recognizes & honors veterans of the Military. It is wonderful the “rescuer” was finally given his due and that the “rescued” never gave up.
I was just over 2 years old when pearl harbor was attacked and I was in high school before I was told about the Us Arizona, I am so glad that this hero has finally been honored thanks to the efforts of this rescued seaman.
I salute Mr. Joseph George. The word “sails” is supposed to be “salute”
I sailed Mr Joseph George, a Hero during this time and and example for all fighting Service Personnel.
Shelton H. Riggins
Retired Army Veteran
The medal that was awarded to this Sailor is an insult. He should have received at least the Navy Cross. Oh that is right he was “only an enlisted man.” If he had been an officer he would have gotten the CMH.
America needs more true heroes…not movie stars or sports stars.Honor real heroes , men who truly embody the character and courage of a hero. May God bless Mr. Stratton and Mr. George …may they be an inspiration to us all.
Courage, patience and virtue! This is the type of story that continues to make us proud.
Thanks to someone not forgetting and continuing to pursue the honor that the hero deserved!
Great story! The “Greatest Generation” saved the world from a tyrant. Kids should be told these stories of courage & bravery! Soldiers like Mr.George,Audie Murphy,Desmond Doss, & others should have their stories told in school. They should forever be memorialize & never forgotten! Thank you to them & ALL our Veterans!
I hope that more of those hero stories survive even if through their offspring. Thank you, Donald Stratton for your service, courage and dedication. For the family of Mr. Joseph George, his heroism will live on forever.
No amount of medals or commendations would ever be enough to say “thank you” to the brave men and women who volunteered to fight then or now. To all who have served, are serving now or will serve in the future, I thank you and owe you a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid. All of you are truly heroes and we are Blessed because of your sacrifice. THANK YOU!
There must be a special place in Heaven for men @nd women who risk their lives for others
An incredible story of courage and honor!!