The Camden County and Gloucester County Freeholder Boards with the Battleship NJ will mark the 79th anniversary of Pearl Harbor, December 7th 1941, in a virtual ceremony on Monday, December 7th at 10 AM.
Pearl Harbor Day Commemoration
Wreath Laying, Gun Salute and Taps live at the Battleship New Jersey starts at 10:30 AM. Please click link below.
Battleship NJ Facebook Live Event
Harold K. Costill – Fireman 3rd Class
Fireman Third Class Harold K. Costill, was from Clayton, NJ. He was assigned to the engine room on the Battleship, USS West Virginia BB-48, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft on Dec 7, 1941. The USS West Virginia sustained multiple torpedo hits, sunk, and it came to rest on the shallow harbor floor. The attack on the ship resulted in the deaths of 106 crewman, including Harold K. Costill. Navy personnel recovered the remains of the deceased crewman, representing at least 66 individuals. Those who could not be identified, including Costill, were interred as unknowns at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, known as the Punchbowl in Honolulu.
From June through October 2017, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, in cooperation with cemetery officials, disinterred 35 caskets, reported to be associated with the USS West Virginia and transferred the remains to the laboratory for identification. Harold Costill’s remains were identified. He was brought home to rest to his hometown of Clayton, NJ on September 14, 2019. He was buried with full military honors. His brother Gene was there to see him laid to rest.
The former VFW post in Clayton was named in his honor and there also is an avenue in Clayton honoring the name of Fireman Third Class Harold K. Costill. Fireman Third Class Harold Costill was 18 years old at the time of his passing.
Eugene Joseph Rowe – Seaman 1st Class
This Seaman was a member of the United States Navy during his active service. He entered active military service in October 1940 and died during the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.
His last duty assignment and major command was: USS Arizona
He was posthumously awarded the following Medals:
John Henry Bangert, Jr – Fire Controlman, 1st Class
This Seaman was a member of the United States Navy during his active service. He entered active military service in January 1936 and died during the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.
His last duty assignment and major command was: USS Arizona
He was posthumously awarded the following Medal(s)
Joseph P. Hittorff, Jr. – Ensign
This Seaman was a member of the United States Navy during his active service. He entered active military service in June 1936 and died during the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.
His last duty assignment and major command was: USS Oklahoma
He was posthumously awarded the following Medal(s):
Walter Hamilton Simon – Seaman 1st Class
This Seaman was a member of the United States Navy during his active service. He entered active military service in October 1940 and died during the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.
His last duty assignment and major command was: USS Arizona
He was posthumously awarded the following Medal(s):
