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After nearly 80 years, the remains of a fallen hero of the Pearl Harbor attack will finally be put to rest in the town of Harvard, near Hastings Saturday, May 15. The USS Oklahoma Project has identified more than 100 of the ship’s casualties since 2017 through DNA testing.
Janice Domeier of Hastings and her cousin, Robert "Bob" Stett of Harvard, never met their uncle Charles "Allan" Jones, but knew he died during a surprise attack by Japanese forces at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. He was serving on the battleship USS Oklahoma.
"My cousin and I learned at an early age what the ultimate sacrifice really means," she said.
Domeier said the family had accepted their uncle was buried in a mass grave in Hawaii, and there was nothing else they could do, but honor his name. Domeier’s son and Stett’s middle name is Allan, and even her great granddaughter is named Allana. VFW Post No. 5539 in Harvard is named in his honor too.
Then two years ago, Stett received a phone call from the Navy, asking for his DNA. Six months later, they said Jones’ 15 bones matched Stett’s DNA.
"I was very shocked that it matched and I was also happy that Allan would be coming back to Harvard now," Stett said. "He would be coming back home."
Both cousins never thought this would happen, especially in the small town of Harvard.
Domeier said they feel blessed they can bring their uncle to his final resting place with the honor and respect he deserves.
The local hero will be buried with full military honors at Harvard Cemetery Saturday, May 15, at 10:30 a.m.