Story of Navy man on USS Destroyers during WWII. At Pearl Harbor Dec. 7, 1941. William Lewis Stovall was born in 1918 in Crenshaw, Mississippi. The oldest of eight children, he graduated from Pleasant Grove High School in 1937. Shortly after, he joined the Navy for a four year tour of duty. His four year tour lasted for twenty two years. He served his country during the Korean War, World War II and two tours of recruiting duty.

His medals include: American Defense Medal, an Asiatic Theater Medal with three stars representing three battles, a Good Conduct Medal with five stars, each representing four years of good conduct, and the Purple Heart for wounds suffered during a battle while aboard the U.S.S. Oyster Bay. He retired from the Navy in 1959 with the rank of Torpedoman Chief.