Huntington Beach veteran killed in Pearl Harbor recognized posthumously

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. (KABC) -- A Huntington Beach man killed on the USS Arizona in Pearl Harbor in 1941, whose name was left off a veterans memorial marker at city hall, finally got the recognition he deserved.

On Tuesday, which would have been his 94th birthday, dozens gathered to honor A.A. "Bill" Woodward's sacrifice. His name was added to the Huntington Beach Veterans Memorial, more than 70 years after his death.

"It's just beyond my words. I'm just over the moon," his daughter San Clemente resident Karen Richardson said.

Woodward left Huntington Beach in 1941 to serve on the USS Arizona. His wife gave birth to Karen a month later.

The city's historian realized Woodward's name was missing after he bought a Time magazine at a garage sale for $1. Inside was a list of every person who died at Pearl Harbor, including Woodward.

After four months of searching, Huntington Beach City Councilman David Sullivan found the family.

"It's very important that those that save the world be recognized," Sullivan said.

Richardson says her father would appreciate the life she's lived, a life he helped create and protect.