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Dwight F. Roberts

Memorial Day

F1C Dwight F. Roberts
Fireman 1C - USS Arizona
Feb. 3, 1920 - Dec. 7, 1941

Dwight Roberts Senior Picture

This is from the Jacksonian Newspaper, February 26, 1942:

“Large Crowd Attends Dwight Robert’s Memorial”

“Memorial Services were conducted for Dwight Fisk Roberts, son of Mr. and Mrs. G.L. Roberts of Cimarron in the Cimarron High School Auditorium Sunday P.M., February 22nd. The program was arranged and given by the ex-service men of Gray County and the American Legion Auxiliary of Cimarron.

Roberts was the first Gray county man in service to lose his life for his country during WWII. Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, he was reported by the United State government to have lost his life while on duty. Dwight was a fireman on the U.S.S. Arizona which was completely destroyed at that time.

The services were made up of the following:

  • Reveille, Keith Wilson

  • America the Beautiful, Congregation

  • Prayer Post Chaplain, Mr. Sam Robins

  • In the Garden, Quartette

  • Beautiful Isle of Somewhere, Quartette:

  • Mrs. A.L. Nicolet, Mrs. Everett Graham, Jack Robins Everett Graham

  • Scripture – 23rd Psalm Post Chaplain, Mr. Sam Robins

  • Obituary, Mrs. Frank Hungate

  • Eulogy, Will McFarland

  • Trusting Solo, Mrs. L.H. Blakeman

  • Prayer Post Chaplain, Mr. Sam Robins

  • Star Spangled Banner, Congregation

  • Taps, Keith Wilson

Dwight Fisk Roberts, son of Mr. and Mrs. G.L. Roberts was born February 3, 1920 in Cimarron, Kansas. He was officially reported by the United States Navy to have lost his life while at his post of duty during the treacherous Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941. He had reached the age of 21 years, 10 months and 5 days.
Dwight grew to manhood in Cimarron. He attended the local schools 12 years, graduating from the Cimarron High School in the class of 1938. He was a letterman in football playing center on the squad for three years. He was very loyal to his school and participated in a number of the school activities. During the summer of ’38 he was a life guard at the local swimming pool.
Dwight had the misfortune to have a foot badly crushed when he was employed by the Santa Fe road gang in the summer of 1937, and spent about six weeks of his vacation in the Santa Fe hospital at La Junta, Colorado.
In September of 1938 Dwight enlisted in the United States Navy and spent several months at San Diego, Calif. After three months training he was placed in charge of a swimming class for about two months. While at San Diego he won several medals in swimming contests. Before enlisting Dwight had won honors by taking several firsts in swimming contests here and in neighboring towns.
About the middle of February, 1939 Dwight came home on his “Boat Leave” visiting his parents and family and friends for about ten days.
Upon getting back to San Diego he was transferred on March 1st to the battleship Arizona where he remained until his untimely death.
Dwight will be remembered here as one of the finest young men this community has raised in a long time. He was a kind, good natured boy and was admired by all with whom he associated. His loss to his loved ones and the community is a real one.
Dwight leaves to mourn his loss his parents Mr. and Mrs. G.L. Roberts, two brothers, Herbert E. Roberts of Denver, Colorado and Homer L. Roberts of Helena, Montana, two sisters Chelsea M. Roberts of Wyandotte, Michigan and Marion Lois at home, and his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. W.F. Griffin of Garden City, Kansas, besides a large number of uncles, aunts and cousins, also his fiancée Miss Betty Gay Alexander of Denver, Colorado and a host of friends.” – The Cimarron Jacksonian, February 26, 1942.

A BRIEF REVIEW OF The USS Arizona

The USS Arizona (BB-39) was a Pennsylvania-class battleship of the United States Navy, best remembered for its tragic destruction during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, which plunged the United States into World War II. Its history spans over two decades of peacetime service and its symbolic role in American memory.
Construction and Commissioning
Laid down: March 16, 1914, at the Brooklyn Navy Yard
Launched: June 19, 1915
Commissioned: October 17, 1916
Named for the 48th state, which had only recently joined the Union in 1912, USS Arizona was one of the most powerful ships of her time. At 608 feet long and displacing over 31,000 tons, she was designed to carry twelve 14-inch guns and was protected by heavy armor.
Pre-World War II Service
Although completed too late to see combat in World War I, Arizona served in various roles during the interwar years:
Participated in training exercises and fleet maneuvers in both the Atlantic and Pacific.
Took part in humanitarian missions, such as delivering aid to earthquake victims in Turkey in 1923.
Was modernized in the 1920s at the Norfolk Navy Yard, including the addition of improved fire control, anti-aircraft guns, and updated engines.
In the 1930s, Arizona was stationed primarily in the Pacific, often based in San Pedro, California, and later Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, as tensions with Japan grew.
Attack on Pearl Harbor
On the morning of December 7, 1941, Arizona was moored at Battleship Row in Pearl Harbor when Japanese aircraft launched a surprise attack.
At 8:06 a.m., a Japanese bomb struck near turret two and penetrated into the forward ammunition magazines.
A massive explosion tore through the ship, instantly killing 1,177 crewmen.
The battleship sank within minutes, engulfed in flames and smoke.
The loss of the USS Arizona represented nearly half of the American deaths at Pearl Harbor and became a allying point for American entry into WWII.
Legacy and Memorial
The wreck remains sunken in Pearl Harbor and is considered a war grave.
In 1962, the USS Arizona Memorial was dedicated, spanning the ship’s remains and honoring those who died in the attack.
The memorial draws more than two million visitors annually and is maintained by the National Park Service.
Oil continues to slowly leak from the wreck, referred to as the “tears of the Arizona” or “black tears.”
The battleship itself was never raised or recommissioned. However, parts were salvaged, and her bell and mast are preserved at the University of Arizona and other locations.
Quick Facts
Class:  Pennsylvania-class battleship
Armament: 12 × 14-inch guns, secondary guns, anti-aircraft batteries
Crew (1941): About 1,500 officers and men
Casualties (Dec. 7, 1941): 1,177 killed
Status: Sunk at Pearl Harbor; memorial established