Rufus Henry Carney US Navy USS California |
Rufus Henry Carney was stationed aboard the USS California at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. According to a newspaper article that I have it states that my Father received a letter from the Navy Department that Henry had been killed in action and that his body was missing. No further facts were given according to the article except the name of the battleship but the letter requested that my father not give the name of the ship to the press. The family had received a letter from him two days before the attack. He had volunteered for the Navy on September 14, 1940 and was 19 years old. According to the paper the letter my dad received came about a month after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Just when family and friends had given up hope, the government again reported to my father that Henry was safe and well. The article states that the USS California was sunk and Henry jumped in the water and swam through flaming oil to another vessel which gave chase to the Japanese and there was no record of him until that ship returned to harbor. There is no mention of the name of that ship. |
Information provided by Eloise (Eppie) Carney-Kerns |
I have a letter from Henry dated January 15, 1942, where he states he is well but cannot reveal where he is or what he is doing. Another is dated February 2, 1942, where he states he was peacefully reading the morning paper when the attack on Pearl Harbor started. He later came home on furlough which was in late July-early August, 1942. He was then sent to sea again this time aboard the USS Barton. Unfortunately, he was again reported missing in action November 13, 1942, having been a member of the crew and serving aboard the USS Barton when that vessel was reported missing following the participation in the Third Battle of Savo Island. He was officially declared dead on November 14,1943. Place of death: At Sea-Pacific Area. He also received the Purple Heart, post-humously. I was only three years old at the time but I vividly remember my mother telling me about the battle and that he had been reported dead. I remember being so sad and remember my parent's sadness also. I remember when he came home on leave after Pearl Harbor and have several pictures of him and us together. He always remembered me in his letters and always spoke of his other family members and friends. He was a great brother and his memory has been kept alive by his family and friends. Henry's memorial is in the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Fort Bonifacio, Republic of the Philippines. |
