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COX John James Dewitt
John James Dewitt was born Feb. 19, 1920 at Franks, a township of about 500 people in east central Arkansas. His mother, Luella Doss Dewitt, was a homemaker, and his father, Onley Dewitt, a farmer.
By the time of the spring 1940 Census, John, the eldest of four children, was still at home with his family, which also included a grandmother. John and his brother Lawrence, 17, were identified as timber workers — most likely for one of the Depression-era federal jobs programs. John, who completed 7th grade, earned $200 for 30 weeks’ work in 1939.
He enlisted in the Navy on June 7, 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.
Sources: The South Bend (Indiana) Tribune; Census; Navy muster roll. 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.