Like his father and stepfather, Claude Muncy became a Navy man.

Claude Muncy was was born Sept. 8, 1921 in Signal Mountain, Tennessee to Claude Henderson Muncy and Essie Tudor Muncy.

From kindergarten Claude attended Ocean Beach Elementary School and then one year at Point Loma High School, both in California. The 1930 Census showed the family living in San Diego, CA, where his father’s occupation was listed as sailor. The parents divorced a short time later and both married again in 1933. Young Claude’s step-father was Harry A. Jordan.

After a year at Point Loma High Claude moved to Virginia, where he graduated from King George County High School.

He enlisted in the Navy on September 13, 1938 and completed his basic training at the Naval Training Station in San Diego, CA. He reported for duty aboard the U.S.S. Arizona on March 11, 1939.

.He was a machinist’s mate and petty officer second class when he was killed in the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Dec. 7, 1941.

His step-dad retired from the Navy in February 1940 but was recalled the month before Claude was killed. Mr. Jordan served until Sept. 7, 1946. He was a lieutenant.

The spring 1940 Census said Claude’s dad was retired from the Navy. But he, too, re-entered service, from July 1941 until March 21, 1945. He was a chief boatswain’s mate.

Sources: The San Diego Union; Navy enlistment records, death files and muster rolls; Arkansas marriage index; Census; Arizona marriage license; report of interment at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery. This profile was researched and written on behalf of the U.S.S. Arizona Mall Memorial at the University of Arizona.