After service at the Naval Training Station, Great Lakes, Illinois, in
1939-1941, Lieutenant Commander Fuqua returned to USS Arizona as the
ship's Damage Control Officer and First Lieutenant, and was on board
her during Japan's 7 December 1941 raid on Pearl Harbor. Though knocked
unconscious by a bomb that hit the ship's stern early in the attack, he
subsequently directed fire fighting and rescue efforts. After the
ship's forward magazines exploded, he was her senior surviving officer
and was responsible for saving her remaining crewmen. For his
distinguished conduct and heroism at that time, he was awarded the
Medal of Honor.