Medal of Honor: Samuel Glenn Fuqua – World War II – December 7, 1941

Name: Samuel Glenn Fuqua
Rank: Captain (then Lieutenant Commander)
Organization: U.S. Navy
Unit: USS Arizona (BB-39)
Place and Date: Pearl Harbor, Oahu, Territory of Hawaii – 7 December 1941
Entered Service At: Laddonia, Missouri
Born: October 15, 1899 – Laddonia, Missouri
Departed: January 27, 1987
Accredited To: Missouri

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Summary of Action

When the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor erupted on the morning of December 7, 1941, Lieutenant Commander Samuel G. Fuqua was the Damage Control Officer aboard USS Arizona. As he rushed to the quarterdeck, a bomb struck nearby, knocking him unconscious. Regaining his senses amid fire, smoke, and shattered metal, Fuqua immediately began organizing firefighting efforts and leading the rescue of wounded sailors.

Moments later, Arizona was torn apart by a catastrophic magazine explosion that lifted the battleship from the water and engulfed her forward section in towering flames. Despite the devastation — and continuous strafing and bombing from enemy aircraft — Fuqua remained steady and composed. He directed rescue operations, supervised evacuation routes, and personally assisted injured men off the ship.

When it became clear that Arizona could not be saved, and realizing he was the senior surviving officer on board, Fuqua ordered the ship abandoned. Yet he stayed on the quarterdeck until every possible survivor had been evacuated. Only then did he leave, the last living man to step off USS Arizona as she burned around him.

His calm leadership amid horror saved countless lives and set the example for courage on one of the darkest days in U.S. naval history.

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Medal of Honor Citation

For distinguished conduct in action, outstanding heroism, and utter disregard of his own safety above and beyond the call of duty during the attack on the Fleet in Pearl Harbor, by Japanese forces on 7 December 1941. Upon the commencement of the attack, Lt. Comdr. Fuqua rushed to the quarterdeck of the U.S.S. Arizona to which he was attached where he was stunned and knocked down by the explosion of a large bomb which hit the quarterdeck, penetrated several decks, and started a severe fire. Upon regaining consciousness, he began to direct the fighting of the fire and the rescue of wounded and injured personnel.

Almost immediately there was a tremendous explosion forward, which made the ship appear to rise out of the water, shudder, and settle down by the bow rapidly. The whole forward part of the ship was enveloped in flames which were spreading rapidly, and wounded and burned men were pouring out of the ship to the quarterdeck. Despite these conditions, his harrowing experience, and severe enemy bombing and strafing at the time, Lt. Comdr. Fuqua continued to direct the fighting of fires in order to check them while the wounded and burned could be taken from the ship and supervised the rescue of these men in such an amazingly calm and cool manner and with such excellent judgment that it inspired everyone who saw him and undoubtedly resulted in the saving of many lives.

After realizing the ship could not be saved and that he was the senior surviving officer aboard, he directed it to be abandoned, but continued to remain on the quarterdeck and directed abandoning ship and rescue of personnel until satisfied that all personnel that could be had been saved, after which he left his ship with the boatload. The conduct of Lt. Comdr. Fuqua was not only in keeping with the highest traditions of the naval service but characterizes him as an outstanding leader of men.