Kempton native Fred Boyer, who died aboard the USS West Virginia during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, will be buried with full military honors on Wednesday, Sept. 30.
The burial ceremony will take place at 1 p.m. at Kempton Cemetery, located on South County Road 1125 West.
Boyer was born in Kempton on Oct. 21, 1918, and enlisted in the U.S. Navy in Indianapolis on Sept. 11, 1940. He reported to Naval Training Station Great Lakes in Illinois before being assigned to the USS West Virginia (BB-48) in November 1940.
Boyer served as a Fireman 1st Class (F1c). Navy firemen were responsible for duties involving engineering, machinery and shipboard safety in addition to firefighting and rescue. Their responsibilities included standing engineering, power plant and ship security watches, performing minor maintenance repairs, assisting with underway replenishment and helping transfer fuel and supplies while at sea.
Boyer was promoted to Fireman 3rd Class on Jan. 11, 1941, Fireman 2nd Class on July 1, 1941, and Fireman 1st Class on Nov. 1, 1941.
He lost his life aboard the USS West Virginia during the attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.
Boyer’s military decorations include the Purple Heart Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, American Defense Service Medal with Fleet Clasp, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with Bronze Star and World War II Victory Medal.
His upcoming burial at Kempton Cemetery will provide an opportunity for family, friends and community members to honor his service and remember his sacrifice during World War II.