Remembering the Montanans Killed in Pearl Harbor Attack [AUDIO]
I got to thinking about this following this year's Cat-Griz game when it was announced that both The Montana State University Bobcats and The University of Montana Grizzlies had made the playoffs. And both would be playing on December 7th. I then got to thinking- wouldn't it be great if there were some special tribute to recognize Pearl Harbor Day, and those we lost?
We were fortunate enough to be joined on the radio by Ed Saunders, a retired Army lieutenant colonel who has been doing some fascinating research and work supporting the women veterans of World War I.
Recently, Lt. Col. Saunders also compiled some research about the Montanans who were killed in the Pearl Harbor attacks on 7 December 1941. According to Ed's research:
Seven died on the Arizona. Most of the fourteen were not recovered and declared missing-in-action, or lost at sea. One Marine, PFC Richard Trujillo, was from Billings. He was KIA on the USS Nevada. His remains were never recovered.
Homer Linn, USMC, and Ed Chlapowski, USN, both Pearl Harbor survivors, are buried at Yellowstone National Cemetery.
Here's the full audio of our conversation with Lt. Col. Saunders:
Lt. Col Saunders also shared the following list of Montana service members killed in the Pearl Harbor attack: