The original post was published on my TouchstoneTruth blog here.

It’s been 77 years since the Japanese sank the Arizona at Pearl Harbor. My wife Lisa’s mom Dorothy was only 3 years old. Lisa’s grandado Alfred’s family was at the base at the time. I imagine it was very scary. Lisa’s mom Dorothy was only 3 years old, but to this day, she jumps at loud noises and does not like fireworks.

Alfred James Homann was born on Thursday, May 18, 1899, in Nevada City, California. Alfred James served in the military between 1922 and 1945. He graduated in Annapolis, Maryland, in 1922. U.S. Naval Academy (USNA). His religious affiliation was in 1992 was Protestant. He died in San Jose, California, on October 10, 1985, at the age of 86.

In 1922, Alfred Homann graduated from the United States Naval Academy after surviving the flu pandemic of 1918. The H1N1 Spanish Influenza pandemic infected about 500 million, and killed between 50 and 100 million people worldwide, but it didn’t get Alfred!

Lisa’s Grandado Lieutenant Alfred Homann was serving aboard the U.S.S. Arizona when it was hit at Pearl Harbor. At the time of his death in 1985, he was the highest ranking surviving officer of the U.S.S. Arizona and his name appears on the small survivor’s plaque at the memorial next to the wall of those who perished.

1942: Alfred Homann USS Arizona Memorial (Pearl Harbor, Hawaii)

Here is a picture of the Arizona from 1931, about 10 years before Alfred was stationed on it.

Honolulu, Hawaii, Passenger and Crew Lists, (May 15, 1941)

In May of 1941, 7 months before Pearl Harbor, the rest of Alfred’s family returns to Pearl Harbor where Alfred is stationed on the Arizona. On Voyage 187 of the ship SS Lurline was Dorothy Homann (Rudisill), age 29; Dorothy Homann, 3; Sigrid “Daphne” Homann, 2; and Josephine Homann, 9 months. Departing SF May 15, arriving at Honolulu May 21.

Here is a descendant chart for Alfred James Homann + Dorothy Rhoda Rudisill to help with family connections.

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