One Navy seaman’s remains are finally coming home after spending around 50 years buried without family.
Dale F. Pearce was killed in action on December 7, 1941 while serving on the USS Oklahoma at Pearl Harbor.
Pearce grew up in Dennis, Kansas and was born in 1920. Pearce enlisted in the United States Navy in 1940 and was serving as a gunner and waiting on a transfer order to the USS Lexington.
After the attack, Dale Pearce was listed as missing in action. His body was recovered and the status changed to killed in action. He was buried in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, along with several other unidentified sailors.
Dale Pearce was eventually identified through forensic science that matched DNA samples and now his remains are being transported back to Kansas.
Funeral services in Kansas will be held for Dale Pearce on Thursday May 26.
