Samuel G . Fuqua Samuel Glenn Fuqua ( October 15 , 1899 – January 27 , 1987 ) was a United States Navy Rear Admiral and a recipient of America ' s highest military decoration — the Medal of Honor — for his actions in World War II during the attack on Pearl Harbor . Biography . Samuel was born October 15 , 1899 , a native of Laddonia , Missouri and entered the United States Naval Academy in July 1919 , after a year at the University of Missouri and World War I service in the Army . Following graduation and commissioning in June 1923 , he served in the battleship , destroyer and battleship before receiving shore duty at San Francisco , California , from 1930 to 1932 . Lieutenant Fuqua served in other ships and shore stations during the mid - 1930s , and was commanding officer of the minesweeper in the Asiatic Fleet in 1937 - 39 . After service at the Naval Training Station , Great Lakes , Illinois , from 1939 to 1941 , Lieutenant Commander Fuqua returned to " Arizona " as the ship ' s Damage Control Officer and First Lieutenant , and was on board her during Japan ' s December 7 , 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor . Though knocked unconscious by a bomb that hit the ship ' s stern early in the attack , he subsequently directed fire fighting and rescue efforts . After the ship ' s forward magazines exploded , he was her senior surviving officer and was responsible for saving her remaining crewmen . For his actions at that time , he was awarded the Medal of Honor . During most of 1942 , Fuqua was an officer of the cruiser . From 1943 to 1944 , he was assigned to duty at Guantanamo Bay , Cuba , and attended the Naval War College . Captain Fuqua was Operations Officer for Commander Seventh Fleet from January to August 1945 , helping to plan and execute several amphibious operations in the Philippines and Borneo area . Following the war , he served in other staff positions , and from 1949 to 1950 commanded the destroyer tender . After service as Chief of Staff of the Eighth Naval District , he retired from active duty in July 1953 , receiving at that time the rank of Rear Admiral on the basis of his combat awards . He died January 27 , 1987 , in Decatur , Georgia , and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington , Virginia . His grave can be found in section 59 , lot 485 . Medal of Honor citation . Lieutenant Commander Fuqua ' s official Medal of Honor citation reads : For distinguished conduct in action , outstanding heroism , and utter disregard of his own safety , above and beyond the call of duty during the attack on the Fleet in Pearl Harbor , by Japanese forces on 7 December 1941 . Upon the commencement of the attack , Lieutenant Commander Fuqua rushed to the quarterdeck of the U . S . S . " Arizona " to which he was attached where he was stunned and knocked down by the explosion of a large bomb which hit the quarterdeck , penetrated several decks , and started a severe fire . Upon regaining consciousness , he began to direct the fighting of the fire and the rescue of wounded and injured personnel . 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 rapidly . The whole forward part of the ship was enveloped in flames which were spreading rapidly , and wounded and burned men were pouring out of the ship to the quarterdeck . Despite these conditions , his harrowing experience , and severe enemy bombing and strafing , at the time , 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 in such an amazingly calm and cool manner and with such excellent judgement , that it inspired everyone who saw him and undoubtedly resulted in the saving of many lives . After realizing that the ship could not be saved and that he was the senior surviving officer aboard , he directed that it be abandoned , but continued to remain on the quarterdeck and directed abandoning ship and rescue of personnel until satisfied that all personnel that could be had been saved , after which he left the ship with the ( last ) boatload . The conduct of Lieutenant Commander Fuqua was not only in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service but characterizes him as an outstanding leader of men .