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Columbia in the ...

• French and Indian War
• Revolutionary War
• Barbary Wars
• War of 1812
• Mexican-American War
• Civil War
• Spanish-American War
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• World War II
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• All Wars

• School: Engineer
• Class Year: 1917
• War: World War II
• Date of Death: December 7, 1941

Captain Franklin van Valkenburgh, U.S. Navy, was the final commanding officer of USS Arizona. He was killed when his ship was destroyed during the Japanese aerial attack on Pearl Harbor. His citation reads: "For conspicuous devotion to duty, extraordinary courage and complete disregard of his own life, during the attack on the Fleet in Pearl Harbor T. H., by Japanese forces on 7 December 1941. As commanding officer of the U.S.S. Arizona, Capt. Van Valkenburgh gallantly fought his ship until the U.S.S. Arizona blew up from magazine explosions and a direct bomb hit on the bridge which resulted in the loss of his life."

In recognition and remembrance for your service, courage, and gallantry for the United States of America.

- Elaine George

Is any of our information incorrect? You can submit corrections, additional photos, and/or tributes to uarchives@columbia.edu.