Julius Ellsberry: Difference between revisions

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'''Julius Ellsberry''' (born [[1922]] in [[Birmingham]] - died [[December 7]], [[1941]] at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii) was the first American to die in the Pacific during [[World War II]].  
'''Julius Ellsberry''' (born [[1922]] in [[Birmingham]] - died [[December 7]], [[1941]] at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii) was the first American to die in the Pacific during [[World War II]].  


Elsberry was a graduate of [[Parker High School]] and enlisted in the United States Navy in [[1940]]. He was serving aboard the ''USS Oklahoma'' (BB-37) as a Mess Attendant First Class when it was bombed by Japanese fighter planes in a surprise attack. He and 413 other crewmen were killed aboard the battleship. He was awarded a posthumous Purple Heart in honor of his sacrifice.
Elsberry's father worked at [[Stockham Valves & Fittings]]. Julius attended the [[Kingston School]] and [[Thomas School]]. Shortly after graduating from [[Parker High School|Industrial High School]] in [[1938]], he enlisted in the United States Navy. Because he was black, Ellsberry was assigned to the Navy's segregated messman/steward branch.


A Navy press release followed shortly after the announcement of Elsberry's death describing the heroism of another black seaman, then unidentified. Mess Attendant Second Class Dorie Miller assumed control of a deck gun on the ''USS West Virginia'' after the gunner was killed and helped defend the ship. Media reports at the time often credited Ellsberry with Miller's heroism and the misidentification still sometimes persists.
Ellsberry was serving aboard the ''USS Oklahoma'' (BB-37) as a Mess Attendant First Class when it was bombed by Japanese fighter planes in a surprise attack. He and 413 other crewmen, including fellow black Alabamian Johnnie C. Laurie, were killed aboard the battleship. He was awarded a posthumous Purple Heart in honor of his sacrifice.
 
A Navy press release followed shortly after the announcement of Elsberry's death describing the heroism of another black seaman, then unidentified. Mess Attendant Second Class Dorie Miller assumed control of a deck gun on the ''USS West Virginia'' after the gunner was killed and helped defend the ship. Media reports at the time often credited Ellsberry with Miller's heroism and the misidentification persists.


The ''[[Birmingham World]]'' labeled Ellsberry "the Crispus Attucks of World War II" (Cronenberg - 2003). Birmingham's Black community raised over $300,000 in war bond purchases toward the completion of a B-24 bomber named ''The Spirit of Ellsberry''. (Bodnar - 1996)
The ''[[Birmingham World]]'' labeled Ellsberry "the Crispus Attucks of World War II" (Cronenberg - 2003). Birmingham's Black community raised over $300,000 in war bond purchases toward the completion of a B-24 bomber named ''The Spirit of Ellsberry''. (Bodnar - 1996)


[[Ellsberry Park]] off [[Finley Boulevard]] was dedicated in his honor in [[1979]]. A marker honoring Elsberry's sacrifice has also been erected in [[Kelly Ingram Park]], a park once only open to white citizens which is named for fellow Navy veteran [[Kelly Ingram]], the first American killed in [[World War I]].
[[Ellsberry Park]] off [[Finley Boulevard]] was dedicated in his honor in [[1979]]. A marker honoring Elsberry's sacrifice has also been erected in [[Kelly Ingram Park]], which is named for fellow Navy veteran [[Kelly Ingram]], the first American killed in [[World War I]].


==References==
==References==
* Bodnar, John E. (1996) ''Bonds of Affection: Americans Define Their Patriotism''. Princeton University Press. p. 208 ISBN 0691043965
* Cronenberg, Allen (2003) ''Forth to the Mighty Conflict: Alabama and World War II.'' Tuscaloosa: University of Alabama Press. p. 12. ISBN 0817350276
* Miller, Richard E. (2004) ''The Messman Chronicles: African-Americans in the U.S. Navy, 1932-1943.'' Annapolis, Maryland: US Naval Institute Press ISBN 9781557505392
* Spencer, Thomas (December 7, 2010) "Remembering Pearl Harbor: Retired Birmingham doctor honors first black Alabamian to die in WWII." ''Birmingham News''
==External links==
* Miller, Richard E. (January 8, 2008) "[http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=4635 Julius Ellsberry]". The Historical Marker Database
* Miller, Richard E. (January 8, 2008) "[http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=4635 Julius Ellsberry]". The Historical Marker Database
* Cronenberg, Allen (2003) ''Forth to the Mighty Conflict: Alabama and World War II.'' Tuscaloosa: University of Alabama Press. p. 12. ISBN 0817350276
* Curry, Dodson M. (January 31, 2010) "[http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=27408 Ellsberry Memorial Park]". The Historical Marker Database
* Bodnar, John E. (1996) ''Bonds of Affection: Americans Define Their Patriotism''. Princeton University Press. p. 208 ISBN 0691043965


{{DEFAULTSORT:Ellsberry, Julius}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ellsberry, Julius}}
[[Category:1922 births]]
[[Category:1922 births]]
[[Category:1941 deaths]]
[[Category:1941 deaths]]
[[Category:Parker graduates]]
[[Category:Industrial graduates]]
[[Category:US Navy personnel]]
[[Category:US Navy personnel]]
[[Category:World War II veterans]]
[[Category:World War II veterans]]
[[Category:Purple Heart recipients]]
[[Category:Purple Heart recipients]]

Revision as of 09:49, 7 December 2010

Julius Ellsberry (born 1922 in Birmingham - died December 7, 1941 at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii) was the first American to die in the Pacific during World War II.

Elsberry's father worked at Stockham Valves & Fittings. Julius attended the Kingston School and Thomas School. Shortly after graduating from Industrial High School in 1938, he enlisted in the United States Navy. Because he was black, Ellsberry was assigned to the Navy's segregated messman/steward branch.

Ellsberry was serving aboard the USS Oklahoma (BB-37) as a Mess Attendant First Class when it was bombed by Japanese fighter planes in a surprise attack. He and 413 other crewmen, including fellow black Alabamian Johnnie C. Laurie, were killed aboard the battleship. He was awarded a posthumous Purple Heart in honor of his sacrifice.

A Navy press release followed shortly after the announcement of Elsberry's death describing the heroism of another black seaman, then unidentified. Mess Attendant Second Class Dorie Miller assumed control of a deck gun on the USS West Virginia after the gunner was killed and helped defend the ship. Media reports at the time often credited Ellsberry with Miller's heroism and the misidentification persists.

The Birmingham World labeled Ellsberry "the Crispus Attucks of World War II" (Cronenberg - 2003). Birmingham's Black community raised over $300,000 in war bond purchases toward the completion of a B-24 bomber named The Spirit of Ellsberry. (Bodnar - 1996)

Ellsberry Park off Finley Boulevard was dedicated in his honor in 1979. A marker honoring Elsberry's sacrifice has also been erected in Kelly Ingram Park, which is named for fellow Navy veteran Kelly Ingram, the first American killed in World War I.

References

  • Bodnar, John E. (1996) Bonds of Affection: Americans Define Their Patriotism. Princeton University Press. p. 208 ISBN 0691043965
  • Cronenberg, Allen (2003) Forth to the Mighty Conflict: Alabama and World War II. Tuscaloosa: University of Alabama Press. p. 12. ISBN 0817350276
  • Miller, Richard E. (2004) The Messman Chronicles: African-Americans in the U.S. Navy, 1932-1943. Annapolis, Maryland: US Naval Institute Press ISBN 9781557505392
  • Spencer, Thomas (December 7, 2010) "Remembering Pearl Harbor: Retired Birmingham doctor honors first black Alabamian to die in WWII." Birmingham News

External links

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