Brothers Arvel & Beecher Henderson Arvel receiving his Purple Heart medal from Roger Dake...... All my Mom’s brothers served in WW2 in the navy. My grandma prayed for them constantly and they did see action. Beecher, Arvel, and Billy Henderson grew up in Montreal on the farm. Arvel told the story of being in battle on a gunnery crew and being in a hot fight when suddenly a loud voice commanded him to jump behind something (I forget exactly what he said). He did and just at that time their gun was hit and several died, but he escaped with just wounds. Here is a photo of him getting a medal. All three “boys” made it and became teachers on the GI Bill. Uncle Arvel always claimed his mother’s prayers were answered. Arvel Harvey Henderson was born January 23, 1922 in Midland, Sebastian Co., Ar. to William Harvey and Elsie Bartlett Henderson. Arvel married Carmen Graves of Ada, Oklahoma on January 9, 1943. Arvel registered for the military draft June 30, 1942 in Ada, Pontotoc Co., Oklahoma. He enlisted in the US Navy August 13, 1942. His discharge date was October 22, 1945. He served aboard the USS South Dakota. The USS South Dakota was in every major battle and the most decorated ship of WWII from 1942-45. It brought down 32 Japanese planes and was the first ship to fire on the Japanese home islands! She was officially numbered BB57, also known as "Battleship X," and her state designation was as the South Dakota. He was awarded the Purple Heart medal and other service medals. His obit below has more information about his service to his country. After the war he settled in Oklahoma and enrolled in The University of Tulsa at Tulsa, Oklahoma. Arvel Harvey Henderson passed away December 14, 2009 at his home in Oklahoma. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Find A Grave Arvel H. Henderson, 87, on Monday, December 14, 2009, left this earthly life at his home in Owasso, OK, to be with his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Born on January 22, 1922, in Midland, AR the son of William H. and Elsie (Bartlett) Henderson. Arvel is survived by his wife of 66 years, Carmen; his brother: William H. Henderson; his sisters: Mildred Dake and Elsaleen Waddle; and his sister-in-law: Wanda Bartlett. Preceded in death by his parents; brother: Beacher R. Henderson and his sisters: June Pirpich and Nira Lee Stricker. Arvel attended Elementary School in Midland, AR and High School in Hartford, AR where he sang in the Hartford Quartet. He attended East Central College in Ada where he continued his love of music, singing in concerts and on Radio station KADA. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II from August 1942 through October 1945. He spent three years on the Battleship USS South Dakota, six months in the Atlantic and two years, six months in the South Pacific. He participated in thirteen major battles and was awarded a Purple Heart and other medals. His duty took him to Tokyo Bay where he observed the signing of the Peace treaty with Japan. He married Carmen Graves of Ada on January 9, 1943. After his discharge from the Navy they settled in Tulsa where Arvel attended T.U.. He worked for Flint Steel for six years and Sun Oil Company of Tulsa for 27 years before he retired. He served as volunteer Music Director for Manger Baptist Church of Tulsa and Beaver Street Baptist Church of Jenks before becoming a member of Immanuel Baptist Church. He was the song leader in the Adult 3 Sunday School Department, sang in the Sanctuary Choir and tenor in the men's quartet. He and Carmen served in Immanuel's library until his passing. Singing was Arvel's passion. In his years of service he was well known for his tenor voice and for his desire to sing praises to God. We thank God for Arvel's life and his devotion to Jesus Christ. A memorial worship service will be 2 p.m., Saturday, January 9, 2010, in Immanuel Baptist Church. In lieu of Flowers memorials may be made to the Baptist Children's Home of Owasso, OK USS South Dakota