Life preserver from USS West Virginia at Pearl Harbor on display at local museum
PRINCETON, WV (WVNS) — A piece of history found the day after the attacks on Pearl Harbor is on display at the Mercer County War Museum for only a short time.
USS West Virginia was anchored to Battleship Row on the morning of December 7, 1941, when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, launching the United States into World War II. The ship was badly damaged but was able to be rebuilt and continued service for years to come; however, a piece of the battleship was discovered one day after the attack that would eventually find its way back to the Mountain State.
Who created West Virginia’s state seal?
On December 8, 1941, a life preserver was found by a man and his 16-year-old son as they were looking through the wreckage on the beach. The preserver was floating in what they described as oily and bloody water.
The father and son took it home and now, in 2024, the life preserver is back in the Mountain State and on display in Princeton.
Tony Whitlow, who established the Mercer County War Museum, said it’s important to teach and show this kind of history because it can give veterans a second life.
“When I do a tour and I mention a veteran’s name and tell a little bit about him, just for a little bit, not in reality, but that veteran might live again through my memories of how I relate what they did,” said Whitlow.
CRW WV International Yeager Airport to undergo terminal improvement project
The preserver is at the museum for only a short time so those who want to view the piece of history should go soon.
The museum is open weekdays from 10am to 4pm.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS.
