Iowa Pearl Harbor Hero To Be Buried This Weekend
An Independence, Iowa native who died for his country in service in Pearl Harbor is home and being laid to rest this weekend.
The Cedar Rapids Gazette says Seaman First Class David F. Tidball was 20 when he died on December 7, 1941, aboard the USS Oklahoma during the attack on Pearl Harbor at the beginning of World War II. On March 3, 2021, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced that his remains had been recovered and identified and would be brought back to Iowa for Interment in the Tidball Family Plot.
The USS Oklahoma sustained multiple torpedo hits, which caused it to quickly capsized, killing 429 including Tidball.
Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 14, at Mount Hope Cemetery, Independence, Iowa, with full military honors.
A Facebook post shares information from the Mighty Mississippi Hog Chapter regarding a motorcycle escort/procession to the services of Sn. Tidball this Saturday.
If you would like to participate, please be at Reiff Funeral Home (216 3rd Ave SE in Independence) ready to go by Noon. Please help us give Navy Seaman 1st Class David F. Tidball from Independence, Iowa, who was killed at Pearl Harbor, the respect and honor that has been so long overdue by escorting him to his final place of rest. All are welcome and encouraged to join in helping to complete this mission.
Seaman Tidball was survived by his parents, Raymon and Isabell Tidball; a sister, Amber (Tidball) Berner; and two brothers, Charles and John H. Tidball, who have passed away.
In addition to Tidball, another fallen Iowa hero will be memorialized in his hometown of Sioux City this weekend, as Governor Reynolds orders flags at half-staff for Navy Storekeeper 3rd Class Harry E. Nichols.
God bless Seaman Tidball, Storekeeper Nichols and their loved ones for their faithful service and sacrifice.