The U.S. military has recently announced plans to exhume the remains of 88 sailors and Marines who were killed during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. These brave men were buried as unknowns in a Honolulu cemetery, but now, thanks to advancements in technology and a commitment to honoring their sacrifice, they will finally be identified and laid to rest with their names and legacies intact.
On December 7, 1941, the USS Arizona was one of the ships attacked by the Japanese at Pearl Harbor, resulting in the deaths of over 1,000 sailors and Marines. The remains of those who could not be identified were buried in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, also known as the Punchbowl. These men were honored with a shared grave site, marked only by the words “unknown” and “known but to God.”
For over 75 years, these 88 individuals have remained nameless, their families left without closure and their sacrifice unrecognized. However, thanks to the tireless efforts of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA), that is about to change.
The DPAA is an agency dedicated to the recovery and identification of missing service members from past conflicts. Using advancements in DNA technology, they have been able to identify the remains of several unknowns from the USS Oklahoma, another ship attacked at Pearl Harbor, in recent years. This has given hope to the families of those who lost loved ones in the attack on the USS Arizona.
The process of identifying the remains of the 88 sailors and Marines will involve a team of forensic experts, historians, and genealogists. They will use dental records, DNA analysis, and other methods to match the remains with living relatives of the victims. This painstaking process may take several years, but it is a small price to pay to give these men the recognition and honor they deserve.
The decision to exhume the remains of these unknowns was not made lightly. It was a collaborative effort between the DPAA, the Department of Defense, and the National Park Service, who oversees the USS Arizona Memorial. The Park Service has assured the public that the memorial will remain open during the exhumation process, as it is an important part of the history and remembrance of the attack on Pearl Harbor.
This effort to identify the remains of these 88 service members is a powerful reminder of the lasting impact of war and the importance of honoring those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. It also serves as a testament to the dedication and determination of the DPAA and their commitment to fulfilling their motto of “Fulfill their Promise.”
The families of these 88 sailors and Marines have been waiting for this moment for over seven decades. For them, it is a chance to finally lay their loved ones to rest with the recognition and honor they deserve. It is a chance to bring closure to a painful chapter in their lives and to remember their loved ones as more than just “unknowns.”
The exhumation of these remains also serves as a reminder to all of us to never forget the sacrifices made by our military members. It is a reminder to honor and respect those who have served and to never take our freedom for granted.
As the remains of these 88 service members are identified and laid to rest, let us take a moment to reflect on their bravery and sacrifice. Let us also remember the families who have carried the burden of not knowing for so many years. And let us continue to honor and support our military members, past and present, who selflessly serve our country.
In the words of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, “December 7, 1941 – a date which will live in infamy.” But now, thanks to the efforts of the DPAA, the memory of these 88 sailors and Marines will also live on, as they will finally be laid to rest with their names and legacies forever remembered.
