Sailor who died at Pearl Harbor finally put to rest over 80 years later

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A sailor killed during the Pearl Harbor attack was laid to remainder Thursday, complete 81 years aft nan bombardment by Japanese forces.

Gunner’s Mate 3rd Class Herman Schmidt was 28 years aged erstwhile Japanese forces attacked nan USS Oklahoma astatine Pearl Harbor successful Hawaii.

Schmidt, on pinch complete 400 different men from nan USS Oklahoma, was initially buried arsenic an chartless soldier. Only 35 of nan men connected nan USS Oklahoma were identified instantly aft nan war. 

In 2015, analysts were cleared to exhume and place nan remains from nan ship. As of September 2021, 346 sailors and Marines person been identified.

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The Navy awarded Schmidt, who died successful nan Pearl Harbor attack, afloat subject honors during nan ceremony.

The Navy awarded Schmidt, who died successful nan Pearl Harbor attack, afloat subject honors during nan ceremony. (U.S. Army photograph by Elizabeth Fraser/Arlington National Cemetery )

Schmidt was identified successful 2021 done a DNA sample from his only son, Michael. 

"I person mixed emotions," Michael, now 82, told The Washington Times.  "I thought it was awesome that they did it."

The Navy awarded Schmidt afloat subject honors during nan ceremony. None of those successful attendance knew Schmidt personally, but his great-nephew was there.

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A trumpeter from nan U.S. Navy Ceremonial Band plays "Taps" during subject ceremonial honors for U.S. Navy Gunner’s Mate 3rd Class Herman Schmidt successful Section 70 of Arlington National Cemetery successful Arlington, Va., Feb. 23, 2023. 

A trumpeter from nan U.S. Navy Ceremonial Band plays "Taps" during subject ceremonial honors for U.S. Navy Gunner’s Mate 3rd Class Herman Schmidt successful Section 70 of Arlington National Cemetery successful Arlington, Va., Feb. 23, 2023.  (U.S. Army photograph by Elizabeth Fraser/Arlington National Cemetery)

"The pridefulness I consciousness — that I spot group travel retired to support personification they don’t moreover cognize — it’s conscionable incredible," Gary Bishop, Schmidt's great-nephew, said. "It’s humbling."

"We are present coming because GM3 Herman Schmidt heard nan call, and he stood nan watch for illustration everyone aboard nan USS Oklahoma," Navy chaplain Lt. Cmdr. Robert Price said during nan ceremony.

Sailors from nan U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard and nan U.S. Navy Ceremonial Band behaviour subject ceremonial honors for U.S. Navy Gunner’s Mate 3rd Class Herman Schmidt successful Section 70 of Arlington National Cemetery successful Arlington, Va., Feb. 23, 2023.

Sailors from nan U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard and nan U.S. Navy Ceremonial Band behaviour subject ceremonial honors for U.S. Navy Gunner’s Mate 3rd Class Herman Schmidt successful Section 70 of Arlington National Cemetery successful Arlington, Va., Feb. 23, 2023. (U.S. Army photograph by Elizabeth Fraser/Arlington National Cemetery)

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"We ne'er hide the sacrifice that group gave for us. This is individual for america because this is simply a sailor. This is 1 of ours."