Samuel G. Fuqua

Born: October 15, 1899, Laddonia, Missouri
Died: January 27, 1987 (age 87), Decatur, Georgia

Samuel Glenn Fuqua was a United States Navy Rear Admiral and a recipient of America's highest military decoration — the Medal of Honor — for his actions in World War II during the attack on Pearl Harbor.

1. Samuel Fuqua entered the United States Naval Academy in July 1919, after a year at the University of Missouri and World War I service in the Army. What was one of the first ships did he serve on?

• USS Arizona
• USS Florida
• USS Georgia

2. He was commanding officer of the minesweeper Bittern in the Asiatic Fleet in 1937-39.

• True or False?

3. After service at the Naval Training Station, Great Lakes, Illinois, from 1939 to 1941, Lieutenant Commander Fuqua returned to USS Arizona as the ship's Damage Control Officer and First Lieutenant.

• True or False?

4. Upon the commencement of the attack, Lieutenant Commander Fuqua rushed to the quarterdeck of the USS Arizona. The ship was hit by an explosion of a large bomb which hit the quarterdeck, penetrated several decks, and started a severe fire. What happened to Fuqua?

• No damage
• Stunned and knocked down
• Metal pierced his leg

5. Faqua began to direct the fighting of the fire and the rescue of wounded and injured personnel. Almost immediately there was a tremendous explosion forward, which made the ship appear to rise out of the water, shudder and settle down by the bow rapidly.

• True or False?

6. The whole forward part of the ship was enveloped in flames which were spreading rapidly, and wounded and burned men were pouring out of the ship to the quarterdeck. Despite these conditions, his harrowing experience, and severe enemy bombing and strafing, at the time, Lieutenant Commander Fuqua continued to direct the fighting of fires in order to check them while the wounded and burned could be taken from the ship, and supervised the rescue of these men in such an amazingly calm and cool manner and with such excellent judgment, that it inspired everyone who saw him and undoubtedly resulted in the saving of many lives. How many lives may he have saved?

• 223
• 575
• 1,175

7. After realizing that the ship could not be saved and that he was the senior surviving officer aboard, he directed that it be abandoned, but continued to remain on the quarterdeck and directed abandoning ship and rescue of personnel until satisfied that all personnel that could be had been saved, after which he left the ship with the (last) boatload.

• True or False?

8. During most of 1942, Fuqua was an officer of what cruiser?

• USS Bridgeport
• USS Willow Grove
• USS Tuscaloosa

9. From 1949 to 1950, what destroyer tender did Fuqua command?

• USS Mason
• USS Dixie
• USS Line

10. Fuqua retired and received the rank of Rear Admiral on the basis of his combat awards. What was the year?

• 1953
• 1957
• 1960

11. Where is Samuel G. Fuqua buried?

• Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, Saint Louis, Missouri
• Cherokee Memorial Park, Holly Springs, Georgia
• Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia

Samuel G. Fuqua Answers

1. USS Arizona
2. True
3. True
4. Stunned and knocked down
5. True
6. 223
7. True
8. Tuscaloosa
9. USS Dixie
10. 1953
11. Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia
    Plot: Section 59, Lot 485

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