FUQUA, SAMUEL GLENN - Medal of Honor Recipient
Rank and organization: Captain, U.S. Navy, U.S.S. Arizona.
Place and Date:
Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii, 7 December 1941.
Entered service at:
Laddonia, Mo. Birth: 15 October 1899, Laddonia Mo. 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 guarterdeck, 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.
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