Governor Andy Beshear has ordered flags at all state buildings to be lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset Friday in honor of a Paducah native who was a sailor killed in the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, but whose remains were only identified last year.
21-year old Navy Fireman 2nd Class Hal J. Allison, of Paducah, died in the attack on December 7, 1941. He was assigned to the battleship USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft. USS Oklahoma sustained multiple torpedo hits, which caused it to capsize quickly. The attack on the ship resulted in the deaths of 429 crewmen, including Allison.
Fireman Allison will be interred at the Maplelawn Park Cemetery in Paducah on Friday.
All individuals, businesses, organizations, and government agencies are encouraged to join in this tribute of lowering the flag to honor Fireman Allison.
