Pvt Paul Edward Herrick, USMC

http://missingmarines.com/tag/uss-arizona/page/3/

Paul Herrick was born around the year 1923. He was raised in Kenosha, Wisconsin by his parents, Paul and Ruth; when they split in the 1930s, Paul went to live with his mother and sister, Teresa. Both children were employed at an early age – Jane was a public school teacher, while Paul started working as a local grocery store. Although Jane urged him to attend college, Paul decided instead to enter the service, and chose the Marine Corps

Enlistment and Boot Camp: “Bud” Herrick enlisted on August 19, 1940. After completing boot camp at MCRD San Diego, Herrick boarded the USS Arizona and sailed for Washington, where he was temporarily assigned to duty with Guard Company #1 at the Puget Sound Navy Yard. However, on November 1, Private Herrick returned to the battleship as a member of her Marine detachment.

Wartime Service: Private Herrick served aboard the Arizona for all of 1941, as the ship completed her refit at Puget Sound and returned to her home base in Hawaii. He was probably a crewman on one of the ship’s secondary five-inch batteries, though Marines also served as aides and escorts for senior officers, and in gunnery control stations aloft. Because his duties kept him busy for long hours, Bud thought ahead; he bought and mailed a Christmas card to his mother and sister in early December.

Date Of Loss: Herrick was killed on December 7, 1941, when the Arizona was sunk at Pearl Harbor. No eyewitness accounts have been found describing his last moments, but he likely died while at his battle station.