Louis James Tushla, Fireman First Class, U.S. Navy, was born on the Tushla farm northeast of Atkinson, Nebraska on February 13, 1916.
He died at his post in the engine room of the battleship Oklahoma, which was bombed and capsized during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. He was twenty-six years of age and had been in the service about two years.
Louis attended Atkinson High School where he was graduated in 1934. Prior to his enlistment he had been employed at Dvorak Brothers ranch.
He was survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Tushla; three brothers, Dr. Francis M., Harold and Donald; three sisters, Mrs. Arthur Regal, Mrs. Helen Bender and Mrs. Joe Deermer.
