Admiral Jackson D. Arnold, USN Jackson Dominick Arnold (1912-2007) joined the wardroom of USS Arizona in 1934, shortly after graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy. He was assigned as officer in charge of the aftermost of the battleship's four heavy gun mounts, Turret No. 4. In addition, he was elected mess treasurer for the wardroom, a post which he had run for on the promise that he would please one man at every meal. When one of his comrades demanded later to know why the quality of the food hadn't improved, Arnold replied that he had indeed pleased one man at every meal. When the officer demanded to know who that man was, Arnold replied, "Me. I've been happy with every meal we've had!"

Ensign Jack Arnold designed this Christmas card for Arizona's wardroom officers, probably in 1934 or 1935. Note that the lights on the tree match those on the ship. Click for enlargement (4.5MB).

In 1936, Arnold transferred to Pensacola, Florida, where he trained as a naval aviator. Upon getting his wings, Lieutenant (j.g.) Arnold was assigned to Torpedo Squadron Six, flying Devastator aircraft, as part of the air group of the new carrier Enterprise. Later, in 1938, he transferred to Cruiser Scouting Squadron Eight aboard the light cruiser Savannah, flying SOC-1 Seagull floatplanes. In 1940, he was assigned to duty at Pearl Harbor as an engineering test pilot on Ford Island.

An SOC-1 Seagull observation aircraft of Cruiser Scouting Squadron Eight, with wings folded, in the hangar of USS Savannah, 1938. US Navy photo.

On December 7, 1941, Arnold scrambled to get a harbor launch to take him to Ford Island, where he initially tried to take off in the only flyable Wildcat fighter on the station. When he learned that the aircraft had no ammunition, he abandoned the aircraft near the base of the control tower and found a Browning Automatic Rifle. He fired the "BAR" at Japanese planes strafing the flight line, and downed one which crashed on the island. Arnold later claimed to be the only naval aviator with five "kills" who was never officially designated an ace -- two in an Avenger, two in a Hellcat, and one from the ground with a BAR.

Pilots of Arnold's "Fighting Two" appear in this c. 1944 magazine layout with their commander (top left).

Arnold served with distinction throughout the war in the Pacific. During the Battle of the Philippine Sea in June 1944, as Commander of Hornet's air group,  Commander Arnold lead a damaging attack on a Japanese aircraft carrier and other ships. Returning to Hornet after dark, Arnold assisted several of his pilot landing in the darkness. For his actions on that day, Commander Arnold was awarded the Navy Cross.

An SBC2-3 Helldiver circles over the flight deck of Hornet, January 1945. U.S. Navy photo.

After the war, Arnold went on to a series of flying commands and administrative posts. During his naval career, Arnold accumulated more that 3,900 hours of flying time, and logged 290 carrier catapult launches. He completed an MBA at Harvard in 1952. His final post in the Navy was as Chief of Naval Material. He was advanced to the rank of full Admiral in 1970, the only aeronautical engineer to reach the four-star rank. He retired in November 1971.

He and his wife, Muriel McChesney Arnold, whom he had married in Hawaii a few weeks after Pearl Harbor, retired to Rancho Santa Fe, California, where they remained active in community affairs and volunteer activities.

Thanks to Admiral Arnold's family for providing the materials and information presented here. See also Paul Stillwell, Battleship Arizona: An Illustrated History, and the Wikipedia entry on Admiral Arnold.