The USS North Carolina (BB-55) My all-time favorite warship. As an elementary school student in North Carolina, I donated nickels and dimes to save this ship back in the early sixties.

Thursday, June 9, 2016

Alfred Wells' Family Officially Notified of His Death in 1942

From the February 24, 1942, Syracuse Herald-Journal "Alfred Floyd Wells Death at Pearl Harbor Disclosed."

Official announcement was received by his parents Mr. and Mrs. A.F. Wells, 2509 Burnet Avenue, yesterday.

A telegram signed by Rear Admiral Randall Jacobs arrived to his sister.  It read:  "After exhaustive search it has been found impossible to locate your brother Alfred Floyd  Wells, machinist mate, first class, U.S. Navy, and he has therefore been officially declared to have lost his life in the service of his country as of Dec. 7, 1941.  The department expresses to you its sincerest sympathy."

The last letter from him was received by his family from Pearl Harbor on November 27.

Alfred Wells had  enlisted in the Navy in 1927 and served in China, panama, Alaska and Hawaii.  He was discharged last August but reenlisted in November and was sent to Pearl harbor to serve on the USS Oklahoma.

Surviving are his wife and two daughters residing in California.  They will come to Syracuse next month.  He is survived by his parents, 5 sisters and one brother as well as several cousins.

--GreGen

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