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Everett Hyland aboard the USS Arizona Memorial. Photo by John Baer, courtesy of Everett Hyland.

Everett Hyland
Radioman 3rd class, U.S. Navy Retired

Everett Hyland was born in Stamford, Connecticut on March 17, 1923. In November of 1940, he enlisted in the Navy. Following boot camp Mr. Hyland awaited entrance into trade school aboard the USS Constellation in Newport, Rhode Island. There he achieved “sea duty” on the historic ship. Later he went through Radioman’s school in San Diego, California.

On December 7, 1941, Mr. Hyland was serving aboard the USS Pennsylvania (BB-38) as a seaman. The “Pennsy”, as the ship was nicknamed, was located in Dry Dock #1 on the morning of the attack.

Typically when the call came to main battle stations, Mr. Hyland’s duty as a member of the Antenna Repair Squad placed him top side during an attack. On December 7 th, Mr. Hyland and his fellow squad members assembled near the clipping room and helped disperse ammunition out to the 3-inch 50mm anti-aircraft guns.

When a Japanese aerial torpedo bomb exploded near the clipping room he was severely wounded. None of his squad members survived. Mr. Hyland’s wounds were so extensive that he was almost given up for dead. He did not recognize his surroundings until Christmas of 1941.

After 9 months of rehabilitation he returned to sea. He served aboard the USS Memphis (CL-13) and later at the Naval Air station located in Charleston, South Carolina.

Mr. Hyland was discharged from the Navy as a Radioman 3 rd Class in November 1945. During his military service he earned seven campaign ribbons including the Purple Heart as well as three area combat ribbons for involvement in the Asia-Pacific, the Atlantic, and European theaters.

Mr. Hyland is a retired science teacher. He has been volunteering at the USS Arizona Memorial since 1995. Mr. Hyland has been an active participant in the Pearl Harbor Survivor Series part of the Witness to History videoconferencing program. This series enables students on both a national and international level to learn about the December 7 th attack by directly communicating with Survivors.

For more information about volunteerism and the Take Pride in America visit to the USS Arizona Memorial, visit www.takepride.gov.