Birmingham in Jefferson County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Julius Ellsberry Memorial Park

Photographed By Anita Curry Nyambo, January 23, 2010

1. Julius Ellsberry Memorial Park Marker

Inscription.
In honor of Julius Ellsberry of Birmingham
World War II Hero
First Jefferson County Citizen to die for his country at Pearl Harbor while serving aboard the U.S.S. Oklahoma December 7, 1941

Erected 1999.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • War, World II. A significant historical date for this entry is December 7, 1933.

Location. 33° 32.324′ N, 86° 49.902′ W. Marker is in Birmingham, Alabama, in Jefferson County. Marker is on Finley Avenue North, one mile east of 13th Place North, on the right when traveling east. Small plot of land, triangular in shape, about the area of 1/2 city block. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Birmingham AL 35204, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Angela Davis House (approx. 1.2 miles away); Resistance on the Hill (approx. 1.2 miles away); Capt. Charles Linn (approx. 1.2 miles away); Death of an Icon (approx. 1.2 miles away); Children of Dynamite Hill (approx. 1.2 miles away); First Neighborhoods, then Schools (approx. 1.2 miles away); Shuttlesworth Returns to Birmingham (approx. 1.2 miles away); Oak Hill Cemetery (approx. 1.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Birmingham.

Regarding Julius Ellsberry Memorial Park.

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Julius Ellsberry (1922 — December 7, 1941) was proclaimed the first Alabama serviceman to die during World War II, his identity being among the first revealed to the American public in casualty reports following the Battle of Pearl Harbor. Ellsberry was born in Birmingham, Alabama where he attended Kingston School, later Thomas School and was a graduate of Industrial (later renamed Parker) High School. A member of the class of 1938, he had the reputation of being a brilliant student. He was serving as a Mess Attendant First Class aboard the USS Oklahoma when it was torpedoed by Japanese aircraft in the surprise attack of December 7, 1941. He and 413 other crewmen were killed aboard the battleship. He was awarded a posthumous Purple Heart...

On May 31, 1941 he wrote his classmate and friend Dodson Curry a letter requesting a class ring. The full content of the letter was photographed and included here. The original letter is in the archives at the Birmingham Public Library.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. To better understand the relationship, study each marker in the order shown.

Additional keywords. WWII Purple Heart

Marker off Finley Blvd. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Anita Curry Nyambo, January 22, 2010

2. Marker off Finley Blvd.

Julius Ellsberry Memorial Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Anita Nyambo, January 22, 2010

3. Julius Ellsberry Memorial Park

Julius Ellsberry image. Click for full size.

Photographed By 1938 Class photo, 1938

4. Julius Ellsberry

Julius Ellsberry Letter (page1) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Dodson Moore, August 3, 2009

5. Julius Ellsberry Letter (page1)

Julius Ellsberry Letter (page2) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Dodson Moore, August 31, 2009

6. Julius Ellsberry Letter (page2)

Julius Ellsberry Envelope from U.S.S Oklahoma image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Dodson Moore, August 3, 2009

7. Julius Ellsberry Envelope from U.S.S Oklahoma

Thomas School (now converted to a shelter) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Anita Curry Nyambo, January 23, 2010

8. Thomas School (now converted to a shelter)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on January 31, 2010, by Dodson M. Curry of Birmingham, Alabama. This page has been viewed 2,279 times since then and 46 times this year. Last updated on November 17, 2013, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on January 31, 2010, by Dodson M. Curry of Birmingham, Alabama. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.