F3c Achilles Arnaud

Achilles “Archie” Arnaud had served on the U.S.S. Arizona less than three weeks when he was killed in the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.

Mr. Arnaud enlisted in the Navy on April 22, 1941 and was sent for specialized training in St. Louis before sailing to Hawaii. He was a fireman third class.

He was born Sept. 30, 1923, in Arnaudville, Louisiana, to Cantwell Arnaud, a farmer, and Cornelia Taylor Arnaud, a homemaker. The son was active in the local 4-H club, including showing poultry and doing public speaking. He was president of the local chapter of Future Farmers of America and first vice president of the St. Landry (parish) Federation of FFA.

Two of his brothers served in the Army — Laurel during World War II and Omer during the Korean War.

Sources: the Daily World of Opelousas, Louisiana; the Advocate of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; the Clarion-News of Opelousas; The Daily Advertiser of Lafayette, Louisiana; The New Era of Eunice, Louisiana; Census; Navy muster rolls; U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs death file. Navy photo. This profile was researched and written on behalf of the U.S.S. Arizona Mall Memorial at the University of Arizona.