William Starks Moorhouse was on the deck of the USS Arizona when the first wave of Japanese fighter planes and bombers attacked the American fleet at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.

The 19-year-old Strong Vincent High School graduate was a petty officer and musician second class and played cornet in the ship's band.

By survivors' accounts, the band was lined up on the Arizona's fantail, or rear deck, ready to play the national anthem for the Sunday morning flag raising.

Minutes later, the Arizona was struck by Japanese bombs, including one that penetrated the ship near its forward turrets, causing a massive explosion. The ship quickly sank. Its fire burned for two days.

William Moorhouse was among the 1,177 sailors and Marines killed aboard the Arizona and was one of two Erie men initial

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