Julius Ellsberry facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Julius Ellsberry
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|---|---|
| Born | August 22, 1921 Birmingham, Alabama |
| Died | December 7, 1941 (aged 20) Pearl Harbor, Hawaii |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Service/ |
 United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1940–1941 |
| Rank | Mess Attendant, First Class |
| Unit | USS Oklahoma (BB-37) |
| Wars | World War II |
| Awards | Purple Heart |
Julius Ellsberry (born August 22, 1921 – died December 7, 1941) was an American sailor. He was killed during the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. He was the first person from Alabama to die in World War II. He was also one of the first Americans to die in the Pacific Ocean during the war.
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Early Life and Education
Julius Ellsberry was born in Birmingham, Alabama. He grew up there and went to school. In 1938, he graduated from Parker High School.
Ellsberry joined the United States Navy in 1940. He served on a large warship called the USS Oklahoma (BB-37). His job was a Mess Attendant First Class. This meant he helped serve food and clean on the ship.
On December 7, 1941, Japanese planes launched a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. The USS Oklahoma was bombed during this attack. Julius Ellsberry and 413 other sailors on the ship were killed.
After his death, Julius Ellsberry was given the Purple Heart award. This award honors military members who are wounded or killed while serving.
A Story of Mistaken Identity
After the attack, the Navy shared a story about a brave Black sailor. This sailor took control of a gun on another ship, the USS West Virginia (BB-48). He helped defend the ship after the original gunner was killed.
For a while, some news reports mistakenly said this hero was Julius Ellsberry. However, the brave sailor was actually Mess Attendant Second Class Doris Miller. He became famous for his actions at Pearl Harbor.
Remembering Julius Ellsberry
Julius Ellsberry was seen as a hero. The Birmingham World newspaper called him "the Crispus Attucks of World War II." Crispus Attucks was an important figure in American history.
People in Birmingham's Black community wanted to honor Ellsberry. They raised over $300,000 to buy war bonds. This money helped build a B-24 Liberator airplane. They named the plane The Spirit of Ellsberry.
In 1979, a park in Birmingham was named after him. It is called Ellsberry Park. There is also a special marker in Kelly Ingram Park that honors his sacrifice. Kelly Ingram Park is named after another Navy veteran from Birmingham, Osmond Kelly Ingram. He was the first American killed in World War I.
