RELATIVES of American soldiers who died in the Second World War attack on Pearl Harbour by the Japanese have had the remains returned for burial after DNA tests identified the servicemen.
Hundreds of soldiers were buried in mass graves and officially listed as unknowns. But on Thursday, the Pentagon announced that the remains of three sailors had been identified, and their remains would be returned to their families.
Ensign Eldon
Wyman was 24 when he died in the attack, on 7 December, 1941.
Kathleen Wyman drove her brother to California to join the navy more than 60 years ago. From there, he shipped out to the USS Oklahoma at Pearl Harbour.
As a result of research by one of the few survivors from the Oklahoma, Ray Emory, Kathleen gave a blood sample for a DNA analysis to help identify the remains of her younger brother.
She now plans to put his ashes next to those of their father and mother. She said: "I'm very grateful that there's been such persistence in following up on this."
The Pentagon identified the other sailors as Ensign Irvin AR Thompson and Fireman 2nd Class Lawrence Boxrucker of Wisconsin, who is to be buried today.
"It is just kind of a relief to know he is home," said Agnes Boxrucker, 82, who was married to one of his cousins.
The full article contains 232 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
