Floyd Dee Helton

Seaman Second Class Floyd Dee Helton was killed aboard the USS Oklahoma on December 7, 1941 at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. He was born on March 27th, 1923 to Herbert Dee Helton and Lillie Mae Roberts Helton in Tateville, Ky.

Floyd attended school in the Somerset Independent Schools before moving to California with his Mother. He was a participant in the Civilian Conservation Corps, Boulder City, Nevada prior to his enlistment in the United States Navy in 1940. Following basic training, Helton began serving aboard the battleship USS Oklahoma on August 13,1941 and continued to serve until his death at the age of 18.

Along with 428 fellow shipmates, Floyd’s body was initially buried in Hawaii. DNA and dental records positively identified his remains in April, 2020 and led to the decision by his family to bring him home to Pulaski County, Kentucky.

Floyd is survived by his half-sister, Louise Helton Valentour and half-sister-in-law Willena Mullins Helton, both of Cincinnati, Ohio. Numerous cousins, nieces and nephews also survive.

The reburial with full military honors will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 31 in the Sloans Valley Cemetery beside his father and near the resting places of his two grandfathers.

Pulaski Funeral Home is honored to assist the family with the arrangements.