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MM2c Jesse Silvey
Jesse Silvey wrote “WOW” in letters home to one of his sisters. It meant “waiting on war.”
He was a machinist’s mate and petty officer second class on the U.S.S. Arizona when he was killed in the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Dec. 7, 1941.
Mr. Silvey was born Jan. 12, 1918 in Velasco, a town of about 900 south of Houston now known as Freeport. His father, William Jesse Silvey, was a farmer and carpenter, and his mother, Bertha A. Mitchell Silvey, a homemaker.
He attended high school at nearby Alvin, Texas, then enlisted in the Navy on Sept. 10, 1937.
A Navy Mothers Club for Brazoria County was organized in February 1941 and later given the name Jesse-Elwood in honor or Mr. Silvey and another county man, Elwood Maris, both of whom died on the Arizona.
Sources: The Freeport (Texas) Facts; Galveston (Texas) Daily News; Census, Navy muster rolls. 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.