A Navy Seaman who was killed during the attack on Pearl Harbor nearly eight decades ago has finally been brought back home and laid to eternal rest beside his parents.
Navy Seaman 1st Class Orval Austin Tranbarger tragically lost his life during the Second World War as the Japanese struck Pearl Harbor in a surprise attack 78 years ago.
According to the reports, Tranbarger, who was just 20 years old at the time, was one of 429 USS Oklahoma crew members that died aboard the battleship on December 7.
Following decades after the surprise military strike and the end of the War, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency was finally able to analyze Tranbarger’s remains and identify him using his DNA.
After getting a positive match, as Springfield News-Leader reported, the agency contacted Tranbarger’s family, including his four surviving siblings, and arranged for the war hero to be transported home.
Eight decades after his death, the young soldier was finally brought home to Mountain View, Missouri, where he was laid to rest next to his parents at Chapel Hill Cemetery.
In an emotional, belated sendoff, a large group of patriots lined the streets to honor the Navy Seaman as he was laid to rest.
“He’s somebody they obviously didn’t know, who was well before many of their times. It showed they love America and they love people that support America, the troops, him being one of them. Happy to see him get a welcome home,” Army Veteran Brandon Wright expressed as he opened up about the emotional sendoff.
According to the reports, Tranbarger was one of eleven children of Major and Minerva Tranbarger. He joined the Navy right after his 18th birthday and died just two years later.
“On the way here I thought, well Orval, you finally are welcomed home,” brother Burl, who was only two years old when his Seaman brother died, said.
“Today has got me convinced that people do honor the fallen military. They honor our nation.”
May he finally rest in peace.
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