The governor is directing for U.S. and state flags in Connecticut to be lowered to half-staff in honor of a sailor who was killed in action during World War II.
Malloy has ordered that flags be lowered from sunrise to sunset on Monday, Oct. 8 in honor of U.S. Navy Water Tender 1st Class Stephen Pepe, of Bridgeport, whose remains were recently identified and returned to his family, according to Gov. Dannel Malloy.
On Dec. 7, 1941, Pepe was assigned to the USS Oklahoma, a battleship at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft, according to a statement from the governor’s office. The Oklahoma sustained several torpedo hits and quickly capsized.
Four-hundred-twenty-nine crewmen, including Pepe, were killed in the attack. He was 43 years old when he died. His remains were accounted for on April 23.
“Navy Water Tender 1st Class Stephen Pepe gave his life for our country, and we will be forever grateful for his service,” Malloy said in a statement. “Over seven decades after he made the ultimate sacrifice in a battle that marked one of the darkest days in American history, he is returning to his family and will receive a proper burial. I ask all Connecticut residents to join me in honoring Stephen Pepe’s memory and sacrifice.”
A burial with full military honors will be held Monday in Bourne, Massachusetts.
