Article Contributed on: 12/7/2006 8:29:36 PM
On Dec. 7, 1941,
Allen Arthur Davis was stationed aboard the U.S.S.
Helena, a light cruiser docked on battleship row at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, when Japan launched its surprise attack on the United States. As Davis and the crewmen rushed to their battle stations, a lone torpedo plane launched a torpedo that hit the
Helena almost amidships on the starboard side. Davis, a Fireman 3rd Class, was lost. The first World War II casualty from Jefferson County, he was 18 years old.
Allen Arthur Davis was born in Denver on April 20, 1923, and made his home in Jefferson County all his life. Davis was first educated at the Fairmount School where he lived, and then attended Golden High School for 1 1/2 years before enlisting in the Navy in January 1941. He was a football player for Golden High School and was a favorite among his classmates, and while on furlough in April 1941 he gave a talk to a GHS class about his activity and work in the U.S. Navy. Davis was a member of the Fruitdale Baptist Church, and was the son of
Frances and
George Arnold Davis of Fairmount. The telegram they received from
Admiral Chester Nimitz stated:
The navy deeply regrets to inform you that your son Allen Arthur Davis, fireman 3rd class U.S. navy was lost in action in the performance of his duty and in the service of his country. The department extends to you its sincerest sympathy in your great loss. To prevent possible aid to our enemies please do not divulge the name of his ship or station as if remains are recovered they will be interred temporarily in the locality where death occurred and you will be notified accordingly. - Rear Admiral C.W. Nimitz, Chief of the Bureau of Navigation.
Allen Arthur Davis is buried at Honolulu Memorial Cemetery in Hawaii.