Governor Andy Beshear has ordered flags at all state office buildings be lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset Thursday in honor of a Kentucky sailor who was killed at Pearl Harbor, but whose remains were only identified last year.
Navy Electrician’s Mate 3rd Class, 23-year old Alphard S. Owsley of Paris, died in the Japanese attack on December 7, 1941. Owsley was assigned to the battleship USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft. The USS Oklahoma sustained multiple torpedo hits, which quickly caused it to capsize. The attack on the ship resulted in the deaths of 429 crewmen, including Owsley.
Owsley will be interred in his hometown Thursday.
All individuals, businesses, organizations and government agencies are encouraged to join in this tribute of lowering the flag to honor Owsley.
