- Rank:
- Branch:
- Home Town:
- Date Of Birth:
- Disposition:
- Family DNA on File:
Y2c William Fielden Camm
William Fielden Camm was born July 30, 1921, in Hazen, Arkansas, to Ernest Camm and Nona Blanche Streight Camm. The father was a farmer and later a Works Progress Administration road foreman.
In 1938, the son graduated from Hazen High School about 50 miles east of Little Rock. He’d also worked as a farm laborer for 10 years. Mr. Camm enlisted in the Navy on Oct. 1, 1938. As an apprentice seaman his starting pay was $21 a month.
He was a yeoman and petty officer second class on the U.S.S. Arizona when he was killed in the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.
Mr. Camm played left field on Arizona’s baseball team, which competed against teams from other ships.
American Legion Hall Box-Camm Hall in Hazen, Arkansas, was named in memory of Mr. Camm and another local man, Luke Box, who died in World War I. Hazen was a town of about 800 during World War II.
A cenotaph for Mr. Camm is flanked by his parents’ graves at Hazen Cemetery.
Sources: The Associated Press; Census; Navy enlistment records and muster roll; Encyclopedia of Arkansas; cenotaph; At ‘Em Arizona newsletter, April 6, 1940. 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.