Harry Smith was a seaman second class on the U.S.S. Arizona. He was born Oct. 10, 1918 in Santa Barbara, California, the son of 1901 immigrants Sam and Rose Smith from Bialystok in what is now northeastern Poland but was then in Russia. The family lived in Santa Barbara between 1913 and 1921, where city directories listed the father’s occupation as a junk shop owner.

By April 1935 the family lived in Los Angeles, where Harry attended Polytechnic High School through the 10th grade. When he applied to the Navy on Oct. 1, 1940 he said he’d served in the California Army National Guard, Co. D of the 10th Regiment. He listed his occupation as “fighter.” Later, he said he was an auto mechanic.

He enlisted in the US Naval Reserve on Oct. 4, 1940. He completed his basic training at the San Diego Naval Training Station. Harry reported for duty aboard the U.S.S. Arizona on Aug. 1, 1941.

He had at least three older brothers who completed military registration cards, also in October 1940.

Two men named Harry Smith were killed in the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. The second Harry Smith was a private in the Army Air Corps.

Sources: Photo courtesy of nephew James E. Silverstein, the Harvey (Illinois) Tribune; Thornton Township High School; Census; grave marker; Navy enlistment records and muster roll; Army enlistment record; California death index; WWI Selective Service registration cards; California birth index. This profile was researched and written on behalf of the U.S.S. Arizona Mall Memorial at the University of Arizona and Operation 85.