Thursday, June 24, 2021

Remains of Bedford Man Killed at Pearl Harbor Returned to Final Rest

William David Tucker, who lost his life on December 7, 1941 at the age of 19 on the Battleship USS Oklahoma in the Japanese invasion of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, will be brought back home to his final resting place. A graveside service will be held at 10 AM on Wednesday, June 30, 2021 at Fairview Cemetery in Bedford, Iowa. Memorials may be given in his name. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Cumming Family Funeral Home.

William David Tucker was born February 2, 1922 to William David Tucker and Agnes Mary (Box) Tucker in Bedford, Iowa. He grew up in Bedford and graduated from Bedford High School with the class of 1939. On July 10, 1940, at the age of eighteen he enlisted in the United States Navy. For three months he received training at the Great Lakes Navy Training Station. He was assigned to the USS Oklahoma as a fireman, working up to a first class rating in the little over a year after he had been in the service.

He was transferred to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii in October 1940 and was stationed on the USS Oklahoma where he was on duty when the ship was sunk during the attack by the Japanese on December 7, 1941. He was 19 at the time of his death.

He was sadly missed by his parents, sisters, Mildred, Irene, Helen and Anna; and other family members during their lifetimes and by his many nieces and nephews who never had the chance to know him but are now grateful to have the opportunity to bring him back to his family and his community.


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