- Date Of Birth: July 19, 1922
- Date Of Death: December 7, 1941
- State: Maryland
Seaman First Class William Brooks, US Navy, was born on July 19, 1922 in Cumberland Gap, Tennessee to the late William and Lillian (nee Moore) Brooks. His brother, Estle “Bud” Powers passed away on February 3, 2008. SEA1 Brooks is survived by his nephew, Kenneth Powers and his niece, Linda Dowling and her husband, Drew; his great nephews, Mike and Randy Powers; his great nieces, Julie Szego and Karen Robinson; and his great great nieces and nephews, Mike Powers Jr., Sherrie Powers, Ryan Szego and Zach Robinson.
At the age of 18, Seaman First Class Brooks entered the U.S. Navy from Tennessee, went to Recruit Training Command Great Lakes, Illinois and then served on the USS Oklahoma. On December 7, 1941, the battleship USS Oklahoma was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when attacked by Japanese forces. The Oklahoma suffered multiple torpedo hits, causing it to capsize. Four hundred and twenty-nine sailors and Marines were lost, including SEA1 Brooks.
In the days, months, and years following the attack, remains of men lost aboard the Oklahoma were recovered.
