SK3c Harry Ludwig Carlson

Harry Ludwig “Bud” Carlson’s father served in the Navy during World War I and he wanted to follow in his footsteps.

Bud graduated from Norwich Free Academy in Connecticut in 1939 and enlisted that October.

He 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.

His dream had been to attend the Naval Academy, says his niece Rosalyn Carlson LaChapelle.

Mr. Carlson was born May 23, 1921, in Norwich to Cornelius Eskil Carlson, a streetcar conductor, and Agnes Myesky Carlson, a homemaker. Bud’s brother, Raymond, served in the Army Air Forces in World War II.

Norwich named two streets — Carlson and Quarto — in memory of Mr. Carlson and another local man, Mike Joseph Quarto, who also died on the Arizona. The town’s Veterans Council has  frequently held Dec. 7th remembrance ceremonies in their honor.

Sources: Special thanks to Rosalyn Carlson LaChapelle for the photo and other information. Other sources include The Day of New London, Connecticut; The Bulletin of Norwich, Connecticut; Navy muster roll; Census; U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs death file. This profile was researched and written on behalf of the U.S.S. Arizona Mall Memorial at the University of Arizona.