#bb-37

[carbone14]

Le cuirassé USS Oklahoma (BB-37) avec un camouflage expérimental – 1917

©Naval History and Heritage Command - NH 44401

[carbone14]

Nettoyage des canons de 356 mm du cuirassé USS Oklahoma (BB-37) – 1916

©Naval History and Heritage Command - NH 44422

[carbone14]

Le cuirassé USS Oklahoma (BB-37) devant la prison d'Alcatraz dans la baie de San Francisco – Californie – 1930's

©Naval History and Heritage Command - NH 84546-KN

[fluttergirl]

On the 75th anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, I’d like to remember my cousin,  RM2c Walter Howard Backman. 

On December 7th, 1941, RM2c Walter H. Backman was on duty in the radio compartment of the USS Oklahoma (BB-37) when it was hit by a great number of Japanese Type 91 aerial torpedoes. The Oklahoma capsized approximately 12 minutes after the first torpedo hit. According to a survivor from the USS West Virginia, which was anchored next to the Oklahoma: "Let me assure you that the radio compartment (where Walter worked) was immediately submerged and the men could not have lived more than a half-hour."

His body was never recovered. On May 25th, 1943, Walter was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart. Walter Howard Backman was the son of August Ferdinand Backman and Beatrice M. Pope. RIP, cousin. You are truly a hero. I am so sad that I was never able to meet you.

[tpmmpt-1]

USS New Mexico (BB-40) leading a column of battleships, 13 April 1919. Next two ships astern are: USS Oklahoma (BB-37) and USS Nevada (BB-36)

[hanspanzer]

USS OKLAHOMA (BB-37)