Sailor killed at Pearl Harbor identified, laid to rest more than 80 years later

HOLYOKE, Mass. (WGGB/Gray News) - A Massachusetts native who died in the Pearl Harbor attack during World War II was finally laid to rest on Saturday.

WGGB reports it was a salute to service and sacrifice more than 80 years in the making.

Merle Hillman lost his life at 25 during the attack on Dec. 7, 1941, when the USS California was struck by multiple torpedoes and bombs.

While that day lives in infamy for so many, it was the start of a decades-long hunt for answers for Hillman’s family, as his remains were left unidentified.

But thanks to technology advancements through the years, scientists were able to use extensive DNA analysis to identify the sailor in 2023.

Hillman’s great-nephew, Brendan Quinn, remembers the phone call that changed his family’s life.

“At first, we thought it was a scam because it had been so long that we didn’t think it was possible; and then we got contacted by the Navy and we were like this is real,” Quinn said.

Hillman’s body was brought back to his hometown of Holyoke, where his family laid him to rest for the final time.

“The main thing for us is we wanted to make sure this is exactly what he deserved,” Quinn said. “The welcome home he deserved. I’m so happy that Holyoke showed up and showed out.”

Veterans’ groups from near and far came together to pay their respects and attend Hillman’s service.

“It’s closure to my family,” Quinn said. “It means a lot, it means that we are not guessing anymore where he is, he’s here. He’s in Holyoke. He’s with his brother and it just means a lot to us.”

Copyright 2024 WGGB via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.