USS Nevada (Blue) Sailors Honor Pearl Harbor Survivor
By Lt. Brent Niven
USS Nevada (SSBN 733) Public Affairs

Release Date: 1/5/2010

(BAINBRIDGE ISLAND, Wash.) – As the sun momentarily broke through the Pacific Northwest cloud cover, Sailors from the Trident ballistic missile submarine USS Nevada (SSBN 733) gathered Dec. 9 at a small cemetery in Bainbridge Island to honor the passing of not only a great naval officer, but also – in a way – a shipmate.

Seven Sailors from Nevada's Blue Crew served as pallbearers during funeral services for retired Lt. Cmdr. Albert A. Arcand of Bainbridge Island, a World War II veteran of the battleship USS Nevada (BB 36) and Pearl Harbor survivor who passed away Dec. 3 at age 87.

The calm services stood in stark contrast to much of Arcand's eventful life, and his time aboard Nevada was no exception.

Arcand began his Navy career as a radioman aboard Nevada and was present at Pearl Harbor on the morning of Dec. 7, 1941, when the Japanese attacked Nevada and other ships moored on Battleship Row.

Nevada was the only ship to get underway that fateful day, and the Japanese concentrated much of their firepower on her. Arcand heroically risked his life to assist the crew of an anti-aircraft gun as Japanese attack aircraft blasted Nevada with multiple torpedo and bomb explosions. Nevada's commanding officer ran the damaged ship aground to prevent her from sinking in the channel and Arcand, who had been severely injured in the action, was moved from the ship to a nearby hospital.

After his recovery from that first epic battle, Arcand went on to fight in many other battles, including the naval attack at Guadalcanal. He earned two Purple Hearts during his service in World War II.

Later in his career, Arcand attended the University of Maine and was commissioned as a Navy supply officer, retiring after 27 years of honorable service.

Repaired and returned to the fleet in 1943, Nevada would go on to receive seven battle stars for her distinguished service in such engagements as the invasion of France, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa. Nevada was decommissioned in 1946, with her tradition of excellence passed on to the Ohio-class submarine still in service today.