- Rank:
- Branch:
- Home Town:
- Date Of Birth:
- Disposition:
- Family DNA on File:
COX George Arthur Filkins
George Arthur Filkins was born Jan. 6, 1922 at Fort Snelling in Minnesota between Minneapolis and St. Paul. That’s where his father, Sgt. William Henry Filkins, served in the Army quartermaster detachment. His mother, Lydia Chapin Filkins, was a homemaker.
The son was 14 when his father, a veteran of the Spanish-American War, died after an extended illness. His mother went to work as a laundress, according to the 1940 Census.
Mr. Filkins enlisted in the Navy on Jan. 24, 1940, and was a coxswain 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.
There is a cenotaph in his memory at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. His parents are buried there.
Sources: The Star-Tribune of Minneapolis; Census; Navy muster roll; grave markers and cenotaph. Photo courtesy of niece Cheryl Steele Matyas. This profile was researched and written on behalf of the U.S.S. Arizona Mall Memorial at the University of Arizona.
NOTE: If you are a family member related to this crew member of the U.S.S. Arizona, or have additional information, pictures or documents to share about his life or service to our county please contact us through our FAMILY MEMBER SUBMISSION FORM.