For conspicuous devotion to duty, extraordinary courage and complete disregard of his own life, during the attack on the Fleet in Pearl Harbor T.H., by Japanese forces on 7 December 1941. As commanding officer of the U.S.S. Arizona, Capt. Van Valkenburgh gallantly fought his ship until the U.S.S. Arizona blew up from magazine explosions and a direct bomb hit on the bridge which resulted in the loss of his life.
| Place of Birth | MN See More > |
| Birth Date | Apr 05, 1888 |
| Service Branch | U.S. Navy See More > |
| Division | USS Arizona (BB-39) |
| Conflict | World War II See More > |
| Date Of Action | Dec 07, 1941 |
| Location and Details | Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii |
| Accredited To | MN See More > |
