ARCOLA, Ill. (WAND) — The remains of an Arcola man killed during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 are finally being returned to his hometown.
DNA helped identify Charles Brown 82 years after his death onboard the USS West Virginia.
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On Saturday, April 20, 2024, Brown will receive full military honors when he is laid to rest in Arcola Township Cemetery. His niece, Janet Ernst, will attend the funeral. Her mother was Charles' sister.
FILE - In this Dec. 7, 1941, file photo, part of the hull of the capsized USS Oklahoma is seen at right as the battleship USS West Virginia, center, begins to sink after suffering heavy damage, while the USS Maryland, left, is still afloat in Pearl Harbor, Oahu, Hawaii.(U.S. Navy via AP, File)
Charles was serving on the West Virginia with his brother Harry. When the Japanese attacked, the West Virginia was the first ship hit. It eventually was struck with seven torpedoes and two bombs. Harry was on the top deck. He was wounded but survived. Charles was on a lower deck and was killed. The Navy was not able to identify his remains and what exactly happened to him remained a mystery for decades.
On Friday night, volunteers lined the streets of Arcola with flags for the procession of Brown to the Arcola Township Cemetery.
Volunteers said that the experience was humbling, and they wanted to make sure that Brown was welcomed home.
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