Seaman First Class David Franklin Tidball, 20, of Independence, Iowa, died December 7, 1941, aboard the USS Oklahoma during the attack on Pearl Harbor at the beginning of World War Two. On March 3, 2021, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced that his remains had been recovered and identified and will be brought back to Iowa for Interment in the Tidball Family Plot.

David Tidball was born Oct. 9, 1921, in Independence, Iowa, the son of Raymon F. and Isabell I (Hopkins) Tidball. He played in the Independence High School band and received an Eagle Scout Award on Sept. 13, 1938. He graduated from Independence High School on May 19, 1938. He continued his education at Independence Community College, receiving a diploma on May 23, 1940.

On July 30, 1940, he enlisted in the US Navy in Dubuque, Iowa, and attended his basic training at Great Lakes Naval Training Center, Great Lakes, Ill. Following his basic training, he received the rank of Seaman First Class and was assigned to the battleship USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft on Nov. 7, 1941. The USS Oklahoma sustained multiple torpedo hits which caused it to quickly capsize. The attack on the ship resulted in the deaths of 429 crewmen, including Seaman Tidball.

He was awarded the following commendations for his valiant efforts during the attack: Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, World War II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, Navy Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Good Conduct Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, and the Navy Expeditionary Medal. He is an Iowa Gold Star Veteran and the Sheehan-Tidball American Legion Post No. 30 in Independence, Iowa, was named in honor of Seaman Tidball's Service.

Seaman Tidball was survived by his parents, Raymon and Isabell Tidball; a sister, Amber (Tidball) Berner; and two brothers, Charles and John H. Tidball, all of whom has since passed away.

He is currently survived by nieces and nephews.

Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 14, at Mount Hope Cemetery, Independence, Iowa, with full military honors.

Reiff Family Center-Funeral Home of Independence is assisting the family with arrangements.

The community of Independence, Iowa would like to thank Seaman Tidball and his family for his service to our country.

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SH May 23, 2022, 9:31 pm Thank you for your service and ultimate sacrifice. You are home now sailor.