WILBUR ALBERT KIRCHHOFF
Wilbur Albert Kirchhoff was born on 20-MAY 1915 in Manchester, St. Louis County, Missouri. He enlisted in the Navy on 22-OCT 1940. His service number was 3374210. Wilbur Kirchoff was the son of Albert Francis Kirchoff(1887-1950) and Esther Kirchoff nee Adkins (1896-1955) of Labadie, Missouri. He had five brothers: Austin, Samuel, Jackson, Donald, Wilbur, and Rex. He had three sisters: Lois, Dora and Gloria Alice. In 1930 according to the Federal Census, the family lived at 2328 Spencer Avenue in St. Louis, MO. His father worked for Walsh-Wells Company at 4th and Locust, St. Louis, MO.
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.
S1c Wilbur Kirchhoff was Killed in Action on the USS Arizona (BB-39) during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor Hawaii, Oahu, Hawaii on 07-DEC 1941. He is listed on the “Tablets of the Missing”, Honolulu, Hawaii. His body was never recovered and remains entombed on the ship.
S1c Wilbur Kirchhoff is eligible for the following medals:
- Purple Heart
- Combat Action Ribbon
- World War II Victory Medal
- American Campaign Medal
- Navy Presidential Unit Citation
- Navy Good Conduct Medal
- Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
- Navy Expeditionary Medal
- Good Conduct Medal
For more of his story, click on the pdf.
KIA 7-DEC 1941 Wilbur Albert Kirchoff
