"Dusty" Rhodes was a Gunner's Mate 2nd Class in the 6th Division on the USS Tangier, a seaplane tender, moored behind the USS Utah during the attack. I think he manned a 5" 38 Anti-Aircraft Gun as part as normal duties. He survived, but was injured by a bomb concussion, which resulted in either a broken leg or hip, I can't remember which, but it wasn't enough to warrant a Purple Heart.
He was a crewmember of the USS Arizona from 1936 until June of 1941, when he was transferred off the ship due to some illness, then reassigned (thankfully) to the Tangier.
Dusty Rhodes passed away in May of 1991, 7 months shy of the 50th anniversary. |