SK3c Edwin Lester Puckett

Edwin Lester Puckett was born in Hardin County, Kentucky south of Louisville. His mother, Sarah Anna Geralds Puckett, was a homemaker and his father, Calvin Puckett Sr., a farmer.

At the time of the spring 1940 Census the son had completed three years of high school and was still enrolled, which means he probably graduated in May or June. He enlisted in the Navy on June 18, 1940 in Louisville, KY and completed his basic training at Great Lakes Naval Training Station, IL. He reported for duty aboard the U.S.S. Arizona on October 25, 1940.  

Young Mr. Puckett was a storekeeper and petty officer third class on the U.S.S. Arizona when he was killed in the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Dec. 7, 1941.

A cenotaph at Glendale Christian Church Cemetery where his parents are buried says he was born Nov. 18, 1918, but the Defense Department says he was born Nov. 10, 1919 and his enlistment papers say the date was Nov. 18, 1919.

His father was a cook with Company E of the 30th Regiment Infantry from 1902 to 1905.

One of his brothers, James D. Puckett, was on the battleship Maryland, which also was at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. The Maryland was hit by two bombs and four men died, but it was able to get all of its anti-aircraft guns working. Its crew rescued many sailors from the capsized battleship Oklahoma, which was berthed next to it. James Puckett served in the Pacific throughout World War II and then served in the Merchant Marine.

Another brother, Calvin Jr., born in 1924, served in the Army during WWII.

Sources: Special Thanks to Edwin’s nephew Ty Puckett for pictures and documents to Operation 85. Grave markers; Census; Navy muster rolls; the (Hardin County) News Enterprise; Defense Department; grave markers and cenotaph. This profile was researched and written on behalf of the U.S.S. Arizona Mall Memorial at the University of Arizona and Operation 85.