S1c Richard Perry Rush

Richard Perry Rush left his hometown of McKinney, Texas, in January 1941 — two days before his 19th birthday — to enlist in the Navy.

He was killed that December in the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Mr. Rush was a seaman first class on the U.S.S. Arizona.

He was born Jan. 16, 1922, to Jim Rush, a well digger, and Mamie Crouch Rush, a homemaker. The son graduated from McKinney HIgh School.

A memorial service was held in February 1942 at South Wilcox Street Church of Christ in McKinney.

A brother, James, served in the Navy throughout World War II. Another brother, Alva, served briefly in the Army Air Corps.

Sources: The McKinney (Texas) Weekly Democrat Gazette; the Dallas Morning News; Texas birth and death certificates; grave markers; Bureau of Veterans Affairs death files. This profile was researched and written on behalf of the U.S.S. Arizona Mall Memorial at the University of Arizona.

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