"USS Oklahoma Bodies to Be Exhumed" Topic

The Pentagon said Tuesday it would exhume and try to identify the remains of nearly 400 sailors and Marines killed when the USS Oklahoma sank in the bombing of Pearl Harbor.

The ship capsized after being hit by nine torpedoes during the Dec. 7, 1941. Altogether, 429 sailors and Marines onboard were killed. Only 35 were identified in the years immediately after.

Hundreds were buried as unknowns at cemeteries in Hawaii. In 1950, they were reburied as unknowns at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific inside a volcanic crater in Honolulu…

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At this point, why?
Leave them as unknown Arizona sailors.

Part of the issue is that JPAC (or what it has changed into) is mandated by congress to identify the remains of at least 200 soldiers per year.

In order to make this quota, they pursue plans like this.

Ridiculous.

They are far better off where they've been buried, for the last 70+ years.

Uh…this is disturbing.

Its called CLOSURE…

Each of those 394 men have a family who only know that their loved one is one of those 394 unmarked headstones. As long as we have the ability to place a name on those stones, we have an obligation to do so. (And if you can't see that, so much your loss…)

I agree with coastal2.

They're not doing this for ghoulishness or just to fill a quota. They're doing this for the families, and for the sailors and Marines themselves.

I'm hoping many of them will eventually be able to rest in peace under their own names.

I agree with coastal2 and jpattern2. I have visited my Uncle's grave in Europe with my Aunt. It was the first time she had been there and it was 60+ years since she saw him leave for war. It was a very moving moment as she finally said goodbye to her older brother, he de facto head of the family. Visiting a cemetery and knowing he was 'out there among the graves somewhere' would not have been the same.

Forensics have progressed to where this possible. I think it is worthwhile. The "Arizona" nearly all sleep with their ship.
RIP to all the PH dead.

I agree, we've advanced forensics and geneology enough to help identify these men. It is said "Never leave a man behind." In a sense, when we can give a name to a body but do not, we are leaving a man behind.

I'm a bit torn over this. I agree with coastal from the perspective of closure (although the closing statement was unnecessary) and the final reconciliation that it offers families. On the other hand, as a sailor (USN CPO, 20+ years) I support the idea of remaining with your crew. Identified or not, they are amongst their brothers. I think at least some families take comfort in knowing that their loved ones are not alone. The crew of the USS Oklahoma is mustered, with all hands present or accounted for. If it were me, I would say let it be. Others may disagree, I just feel that we would be doing them somewhat of a disservice by exhuming them and ultimately relocating the remains. I don't know if that is the plan, truth be told, but I would think that some families would want their loved ones returned home, once identified. I'd feel a lot better about it if the remains were returned to their graves at the crater, once identified.

For any that haven't been there, it is a very picturesque cemetery, with an amazing view. There is a tour of the island that you can take that stops there near the end.

Interesting discussion with value in both points of view.

Undoubtedly, some of the unknowns will remain so, due to a variety of reasons (technical and otherwise). So they'd probably be re-interred at the Punchbowl. For those that are identified, it'll be the family's decision as to final internment (which is as it should be). Some may well opt for re-internment at the Punchbowl. Others may decide to have their loved one return home (for burial with a pre-deceased wife or family). Both are equally justified and proper.

What is not in question is our obligation to try and place names to the men in question. If we can, we should. As our final duty to these men who gave the utmost for us.