Samuel Glenn Fuqua, Jr. was a United States Navy sailor who served aboard the USS Arizona during the attack on Pearl Harbor. While his story may not be as widely known as some of the other heroes and survivors of Pearl Harbor, his actions and service are nonetheless significant. Here’s an overview of his life and service:
Service on the USS Arizona: Samuel Fuqua was a Fireman Second Class on the USS Arizona at the time of the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. As a member of the engineering crew, he would have been responsible for maintaining and operating the ship’s machinery, including its boilers and engines.
Actions During the Attack: During the surprise Japanese attack, the USS Arizona was hit by multiple bombs, one of which penetrated the forward magazine, causing a catastrophic explosion that sank the ship within minutes. Fuqua and his fellow crew members would have faced immediate and overwhelming danger as the ship was engulfed in flames and rapidly sank beneath the waters of Pearl Harbor.
Legacy and Remembrance: Samuel Glenn Fuqua, Jr. is remembered as one of the brave sailors who served aboard the USS Arizona and made the ultimate sacrifice during the attack on Pearl Harbor. His name is inscribed on the USS Arizona Memorial in Honolulu, Hawaii, along with those of his fellow crew members who lost their lives that day.
While specific details about Fuqua’s actions during the attack may not be widely documented, his service and sacrifice, along with those of his fellow crew members, are honored and remembered as part of the broader narrative of the events of December 7, 1941, and the enduring legacy of Pearl Harbor.