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TAPS
Fading light dims the sight,
And a star gems the sky,
Gleaming bright.
From afar drawing nigh,
Falls the night.
Day is done, gone the sun,
From the lake, From the hills,
From the sky.
All is well, safely rest,
God is nigh.
Then good night, Peaceful night,
Till the light of the dawn
Shineth bright,
God is near, do not fear,
Friend, good night. |
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BORN:
October 15, 1899 at Laddonia, MO
Entered Service in the US
Navy from Laddonia, MO
Earned the Medal of Honor during World War II For heroism on
December 07, 1941 at Pearl Harbor, HI
DIED: January
27, 1987 at the age of 87
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During the
Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Lieutenant Commander Fuqua rushed
to the quarterdeck of the U.S.S. Arizona to which he was attached.
He was stunned and knocked down by the explosion of a large bomb
which hit the guarterdeck, penetrated several decks, and started a
severe fire. Regaining consciousness, he began to direct the
fighting of the fire and the rescue of wounded. Almost immediately
there was a tremendous explosion forward, which made the ship
appear to rise out of the water, shudder, and settle down by the
bow. Wounded and burned men were pouring out of the ship to the
quarterdeck. Despite these conditions and severe enemy bombing and
strafing, Lieutenant Commander Fuqua continued to direct the
fighting of fires in order to check them while the wounded and
burned could be taken from the ship and supervised the rescue of
these men with such excellent judgment that it inspired everyone
who saw him resulted in the saving of many lives. Realizing the
ship could not be saved and that he was the senior surviving
officer aboard, he directed it to be abandoned, but remained on
the quarterdeck and directed the rescue of personnel until
satisfied that all that could be had been saved, after which he
left his ship with the boatload.
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