S1c Carl James Estep

Carl James Estep, “Jim”, born Feb. 13, 1921, at Anna, Texas, was one of nine children of Paris Estep and Alice McAninch Estep.

The father, known as Pat, operated an auto repair shop. Jim worked there after his graduation from Anna High School in 1939, as did an older brother. The town had a population of about 500.

Jim enlisted in the Navy on July 30, 1940 and completed his basic training at the San Diego Naval Training Station. Jim boarded the USS Arizona for duty on October 14, 1940, and was a seaman first class on the U.S.S. Arizona when he was killed in the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Dec. 7, 1941.

There is a cenotaph for him at Highland Cemetery in Melissa, Texas. His parents are buried there. The family were Baptists.

S1c Carl “Jim” Estep in the middle with 2 unidentified sailors.

Sources: Thank you to cousin Steven Estep for the photo of Jim.  The Howe (Texas) Messenger; the Plano (Texas) Star-Courier; the McKinney (Texas) Weekly Democrat Gazette; Navy muster roll; Census; Veterans Administration. This profile was researched and written on behalf of the U.S.S. Arizona Mall Memorial at the University of Arizona and Operation 85.