Keith Homer Harrington
Keith Homer Harrington was born on 24-DEC 1921. His father was Homer Keith Harrington (1901-1961) and his mother was Rose Noblot Williams (1900-1967). His father was an engineer, and he was an only child. He graduated from Cleveland High School in 1939. He lived with his mother at 1900-A Louisiana Avenue in St. Louis, MO. Keith enlisted in the Navy on 27-DEC 1939 and his service number was 3372515. Keith was mustered aboard the USS Arizona.
On December 6, 1941, the Arizona returned to its base at Pearl Harbor. The next morning, at approximately 7:55 AM, Japan launched a surprise attack on the naval base. For nearly two hours, more than 350 Japanese aircraft—which included torpedo planes, bombers, and fighters—dropped bombs on U.S. vessels. At approximately 8:10 AM, the Arizona was struck by a 1,760-pound (800-kg) projectile. The impact caused munitions and fuels to ignite, creating a massive explosion that reportedly lifted the battleship out of the water. As it sank, the ship was struck by more bombs. In addition, some claimed that the Arizona was also hit by torpedoes, though no evidence was found to support that assertion. While 334 crew members survived, the death toll on the Arizona was 1,177 and remain entombed on the ship today.
On 17-DEC 1941 his mother telegrammed the War Department inquiring about her son. On 20-DEC 1944, his mother was notified that he was missing.
On 27-JAN 1945, she learned he was killed in action. S1/c Keith Homer Harrington was killed on the USS Arizona (BB-39) on 7-DEC 1941 during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Oahu, Hawaii. He was 19.
Keith Harrington was eligible for the following commendations and medals:
- Purple Heart
- American Campaign Medal
- Combat Action Ribbon
- Asiatic-Pacific Campaign
- World War II Victory Medal
- Good Conduct Medal
Keith Homer Harrington’s name is listed on the Arizona Memorial and on the Court of the Missing in the National Cemetery of the Pacific.
For more of the story, click on the pdf below:
KIA 7-DEC 1941 – Keith Homer Harrington
