Paul Andrews Nash

Paul Andrews Nash, who was killed in action in the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor aboard the USS Oklahoma, was recently positively identified. He was 26 years old at the time of his death, however, nearly 75 years passed before his remains could be returned home. He was born on March 26, 1915, in Rardin, Illinois, to Earl and Faye Curtis Nash. The family moved to Carlisle, Indiana, and Paul graduated from Carlisle High School in 1933. Paul secretly married Kathryn Wilson on November 1, 1932, in Paris, Illinois, and they continued living with their parents. Their marriage was not revealed until 1934. Paul enlisted in the Navy on April 24, 1933, and received basic training at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center in Chicago, Illinois. Upon completion of his training, he was assigned to the USS Oklahoma on October 6, 1933, where he served his entire naval career. He re-enlisted twice, in 1937 for 4 more years and in 1941 for an additional 3 years. He achieved the rank of Fire Controlman First Class (FC1c) in 1937 which meant he was in charge of aiming the 14 inch guns. Paul and Kathryn welcomed their only child, Carol Ann, on December 20, 1935. She passed away on February 5, 2001. Kathryn passed away on December 6, 2006. Both of Paul's parents and his 3 sisters, Earline, Glen, and Ethyl, have also passed. On the morning of December 7, 1941, the USS Oklahoma was hit by 10 or more torpedoes, and due to an impending inspection of the ship, the doors to all of the compartments were open. This allowed the ship to flood quickly, and within 15 minutes the ship capsized and rolled over, trapping over 300 sailors and marines below decks with no means of escape. Paul was among those who perished in the capsized ship. Paul's direct descendant's who survive include grandchildren Jeffrey Tislow and his wife Ann, Gregory Tislow, and Lisa Ridge and her husband Danny; 5 great grandsons, Charlie, Brad, and Phillip Tislow, Justin Ridge, and Owen Tislow; and 3 great great grandchildren, Peyton, Finn, and Brooke Tislow. Two more great grandchildren are expected before Christmas. Paul's life, service, and sacrifice will be honored on Saturday, July 9, 2016, at the Odd Fellows Cemetery in Carlisle, Indiana, with a graveside service at 2:00 p.m. Full Military Honors will be given by the US Navy, Hymera, Shelburn, Sullivan American legions and the VFW of Sullivan. Holmes Memorial Chapel has been entrusted with arrangements.

Paul's life, service, and sacrifice will be honored on Saturday, July 9, 2016, at the Odd Fellows Cemetery in Carlisle, Indiana, with a graveside service at 2:00 p.m. Full Military Honors will be given by the US Navy, Hymera, Shelburn, Sullivan American legions and the VFW of Sullivan. Holmes Memorial Chapel has been entrusted with arrangements.