December 7th, 1941 — “a Date which will live in Infamy” — marked a turning Point in World History. The surprise Attack by the Imperial Japanese Navy on the United States Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor thrust America into the Second World War. This Year, we Solemnly Commemorate that Day, reflecting on the Sacrifice and Valor of countless Service Members. Among them we salute Boatswain’s Mate aboard the USS Vestal, Joseph L. George — a true, though long-forgotten, Hero.

The Morning of Infamy

Joseph L. George was no ordinary Sailor. A 26-year-old native of Georgia, he was known among his Shipmates as a tough, brawling Boxer with an unmistakable Fighting Spirit. Confined to the USS Vestal on the Morning of December 7th, following a weekend run-in with Military Police, George was unexpectedly thrust into the Crucible of War when Japanese Planes launched their devastating Assault on Battleship Row in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

The USS Vestal, a Repair Ship moored alongside the mighty Standard-Type Battleship, USS Arizona, became engulfed in the Chaos. Amid Bomb Explosions and fiery Destruction, the Arizona suffered a Catastrophic Magazine Explosion, devastating the Battleship and threatening the Vestal tethered alongside it.

An Act of Defiance and Courage

Despite Direct Orders to cut the Lines linking the Vestal to the blazing Arizona — to save the Ship from Imminent Destruction — Joseph George’s Conscience would not allow him to abandon the Men trapped on the Arizona. Near the raging Flames and amid the deafening Chaos, he witnessed six, severely burned, Sailors trapped high above on the Arizona’s Anti-Aircraft Gun Director Platform.

In a daring and selfless Act, George used something we classic Wooden Ship Sailors are very familiar with, a weighted “Monkey Fist” on a Pilot Line (watch Documentary at the end for details) to get a Lifeline across nearly 70 Feet to the trapped Men. He nailed it in his first throw. With the raging fire, he probably had only one shot at getting it right, and he did. Nikki Stratton, the Granddaughter of one of the Men he saved, Donald Stratton, called it Divine Intervention. The Crew on USS Vestal said that George was probably the only one capable of such a Feat due to the tremendous strength he had built as a boxer. One by one, the last six surviving Sailors crossed the Rope, escaping a fiery Death. Only the last Man succumbed to his injuries a few weeks later in a hospital bed in Hawaii due to his Burns after having been rescued, but five of the six survived, and owed their Lives to Joe George’s quick Thinking and Courage.

Joseph L. George’s True Legacy

Joe George saved six severely burned sailors who were trapped on the USS Arizona during the attack on Pearl Harbor. Their names were:

1. Seaman First Class Donald Stratton
2. Seaman First Class Harold Cune
3. Seaman First Class Russell Lot
4. Gunner’s Mate Third Class Earl Reiner
5. Fire Controlman Third Class Lauren Bruner
6. Boatswain’s Mate Second Class Alvin D’vorak (who later died from his injuries)

Thanks to Joe George’s courageous act of throwing a lifeline across the burning gap from the USS Vestal to the trapped men on the Arizona, five of these sailors survived and lived full lives after the war. And they would go on to form Families. Families who would not have existed today, if it had not been for this unique Boatswain’s Mate, Joseph L. George and his Courage in the face of a Fiery Death aboard the USS Vestal.

A Forgotten Hero

Joseph George’s Heroism was buried beneath decades of Silence. His Role was reduced to a brief, vague Commendation in the Logbook of the Captain of the USS Vestal, who would later die in Action in the Pacific. And so, the heroic act became just a Logbook entry — not enough to satisfy any Commendation for the Lives he saved or the Legacy he forged. After World War II, George continued his Navy Career, retiring in 1955, but little was spoken of that Fateful Day. After George had passed away in 1996 — without any formal recognition, his Family only gradually learned the Depth of his Bravery through the determined Efforts of the Survivors he helped save.

Legacy Rekindled

Decades later, Survivors like Donald Stratton and Lauren Bruner, along with their Families, undertook a heartfelt Mission: to find the Man who saved them and to ensure he was recognized. Their Search led to Georgia-born Joseph George’s Daughters in Arkansas, and with their Help, a Campaign to award him the long-overdue Medal began.

Despite Challenges — the Political Hurdles of honoring a Man who defied Orders but saved Lives — the Campaign persisted. On the 75th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor, Survivors and Family Members traveled to Washington, DC, meeting President Donald J. Trump, Senators and Military Officials, advocating for Recognition.

The visit to the Oval Office by the Delegation advocating Joe George’s recognition seemed to finally move the Military Bureaucracy in the right direction. Soon after, Joseph L. George’s Daughter, Joanne Taylor received a letter from The President of the United States of America, Donald J. Trump with an Award Ceremony set for December 7, 2017 at Pearl Harbor.

A Medal at Last

In a historic and deeply emotional Ceremony at the USS Arizona Memorial — the hallowed Ground of the Battle — Joseph L. George was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star with Valor on the Joseph L. George Bronze Star Ceremony – December 7, 2017 (click here for the National Park Service photo album from the ceremony). Present were two of the Survivors he saved, the Survivors’ Families, and a Grateful Nation honoring a Man who stood up when it mattered most, guided by his Conscience rather than Orders.

His Daughter Joanne Taylor accepted the Medal, carrying forward a Legacy that extends beyond, encompassing the Lives and Generations born because of that singular Courageous Act.

Remembering December 7th, 1941

As we observe the 84th Memorial of the Attack on Pearl Harbor, Joseph L. George stands as a Symbol of Courage, Sacrifice, and the Power of doing what is Right — even in the Darkest of Times. His Story reminds us that Heroes come in many Forms, often unsung, yet their Actions ripple through History and Lives Lived, shaping the Freedom we cherish today.

Let us honor Joseph L. George and all those who stood resolute on that Day. Their Bravery, Resilience, and Sacrifice remain etched forever in the Heart of our Nation.

“The Right Man in the Right Place at the Right Moment.”

Joseph L. George’s Legacy is the enduring Spirit of Pearl Harbor and the unyielding Commitment of those who defend Freedom.

He went on to serve on four Destroyers throughout World War 2. They were the USS Chandeleur, USS McFarland, USS Sederstrom and the USS Laws.

We at NorwayForTRUMP.com salute Joseph L. George and all Men and Women who fought and sacrificed to save their Nation and the Free World from Totalitarian Tyranny during World War 2!

Learn about ‘The Engineering Miracle: Saving Pearl Harbor’s Battleships‘ from Oceanliner Designs

Mike Brady, the Gentleman behind the immensely popular YouTube Channel — Oceanliner Designs — has published an absolutely fascinating Documentary about how America went about salvaging the wreckages from the ‘Day of Infamy’, which we highly recommend! You can watch the Brilliant Documentary ‘The Engineering Miracle: Saving Pearl Harbor’s Battleships‘ by clicking here. Even Joseph L. George’s ship, the USS Vestal has gotten her own Chapter in this Fascinating Story.

Brilliant Documentary Narrated By Gary Sinise

In this Brilliant Documentary, narrated by Gary Sinise, we hear the real Story of the heroic Actions taken by USS Vestal’s Boatswain’s Mate Joseph L. George and the Families’ fight to earn him the recognition he deserved.