In Memory of
Navy S 1C
Floyd Ray Harmon
Centerville, South Dakota
Turner County
January 9, 1922 – April 9, 1943
Killed in Action in Southwest Pacific

Floyd Ray Harmon was born in Centerville, South Dakota, January 9, 1922, to Bert B. and Augusta M. (Peterson) Harmon.  Floyd had eight brother and sisters, including a baby brother, Tom, whom Floyd never was able to see. Floyd attended Joy School in rural Centerville and Centerville High School.  While Floyd was still in high school, he joined the United States Navy.

June 16, 1941, was the date that Floyd joined the U.S. Navy.  His mom and dad received a card from him from Omaha, where he was sworn in, stating he had taken his test and passed and was sent by train to the Great Lakes Naval Training Station in Chicago for basic training.  After a furlough, he returned to the Great Lakes Naval Training Station and from there was sent to Pensacola, Florida, on August 21, 1941, where he attended Submarine Training School.  He and another sailor, having ranked highest in their class, was sent to New London, Connecticut, for further training, again going by train. Floyd Harmon was assigned to the U.S. Submarine Triton. He served in the Philippines, New Guinea, and also at Pearl Harbor after the war broke out. On April 22, 1943, his mom and dad received a telegram from the U.S. War Department, stating that Floyd was missing in action. The Triton was the fourth submarine lost in the Solomons-Bismark area. It is widely known that the Triton was sunken by enemy destroyers. 

Eva Erickson, Floyd’s sister, recalls that the day the family was informed was “such a devastating day. Our neighbors and relatives and friends all gathered at our house and spent much time, many days with us.” On May 4, 1944, the letter confirming Floyd’s death arrived. In part it stated: “The Navy Department is aware of the great loss you have suffered. It is hoped you may find consolation in the knowledge that your son was courageously serving his Country at the time of his death.” Torpedoman First Class Floyd Ray Harmon received the Purple Heart and Submarine Combat Insignia.

“Our Brother ‘Floyd’ is dearly missed, but we know he served his country well and was very proud of serving in the United States Navy, ” stated Mrs. Erickson.

This entry was respectfully submitted by Kristan Vostad, 8^th Grade West,  Spearfish Middle School, Spearfish, South Dakota, March 1, 2000. Information for this entry was provided by Eva Harmon Erickson of Centerville, South Dakota, sister of Navy S 1C Harmon.