USS Jarvis Joseph Peter Hammerwas born July 21, 1918 at Fort Smith, Sebastian Co., Ar. to Joseph and Elva Schulze Hammer. 9 Jan 1939 in Crawford Co., Ar. Joe married Martha Neislar in Crawford Co., Ar. Both were living in Sebastian Co. Ar at that time. Feb. 18, 1941 Joseph and Martha filed for divorce. It was final April 22, 1941. They had one daughter, Nancy Ann who lived with her mother. On October 16, 1940 Joe registered for the draft in Springfield, Ill. where he was employed. He joined the USNR. Seaman 2c. Joseph Peter Hammer was a radioman aboard the USS Jarvis. On 9 August, 1942 Japanese dive bombers from Rabaul attacked the destroyer Jarvis near Cape Esperance, Guadalcanal. A hit from one of their torpedos caused the ship to split and sink the next day taking with it all 233 crew into the Pacific Ocean. For more on the USS Jarvis and her fatal end you can find it HERE