Governor Andy Beshear has ordered flags at all state office buildings to be lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset Saturday in honor of a Kentucky sailor who was killed at Pearl Harbor, but whose remains were only identified last year.
Navy Seaman 2nd Class 18-year old Floyd D. Helton, of Somerset, died in the Japanese attack on December 7, 1941. Helton was assigned to the battleship USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft. The USS Oklahoma sustained multiple torpedo hits, which quickly caused it to capsize. The attack on the ship resulted in the deaths of 429 crewmen, including Helton.
Helton will be interred in Burnside on Saturday.
All individuals, businesses, organizations, and government agencies are encouraged to join in this tribute of lowering the flag to honor Helton.
