Logo courtesy of the American Legion 

GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - Veterans Day is just around the corner and American Legion South Butte Post desires to honor all of the fallen Gridley area veterans who have given the ultimate “Sacrifice.”

We are in the process of creating an “Honor Wall” in the Gridley Memorial Hall, listing those veterans who are no longer with us.  The hallmark veteran will be Warren McCutcheon. As we discover others who have made the sacrifice they will be added to the Wall of Honor beginning with World War One.

Seaman Second Class Warren McCutcheon, the first American casualty of Pearl Harbor Attack by the Japanese on Dec. 7, 1941

Warren McCutcheon was among the youngest servicemen caught up in the devastating attack. According to witnesses, McCutcheon was hit by strafing machine gun fire from a Japanese torpedo bomber in the first wave of the attack. The bomber was heading toward “USS Oklahoma” (BB-37), which was moored outboard of “USS Maryland.” McCutcheon had responded to the call to General Quarters and was stationed at a machine gun when he was struck by Japanese fire. The young sailor was hit and killed within 30 seconds of the start of the attack.

This first loss of life happened at approximately 0755, just seconds after Japanese pilots started firing on the unsuspecting Naval Base. According to researchers, 17-year-old Warren McCutcheon, serving aboard “USS Maryland” (BB-46), was shot by an enemy gunner. The bullet pierced his heart, killing him instantly.

Warren McCutcheon was among the youngest servicemen caught up in the devastating attack. According to witnesses, McCutcheon was hit by strafing machine gun fire from a Japanese torpedo bomber in the first wave of the attack. The bomber was heading toward “USS Oklahoma” (BB-37), which was moored outboard of “USS Maryland.” McCutcheon had responded to the call to General Quarters and was stationed at a machine gun when he was struck by Japanese fire. The young sailor was hit and killed within 30 seconds of the start of the attack.

For his service, Warren McCutcheon was awarded a Purple Heart, a Combat Action Ribbon, the World War II Victory Medal, the American Campaign Medal, a Distinguished Unit Citation, a Good Conduct Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal and the Navy Expeditionary Medal.

Join the American Legion South Butte Post 210 this Veterans Day and take a moment to honor those who have fallen in the defense of the United States of America.