Remains of WW II soldier from Paducah killed in Pearl Harbor attack returning home for burial

hal-allison-10-22-2
hal-allison-10-22-2

The body of a Kentucky soldier killed at Pearl Harbor during the surprise Japanese attack on December 7, 1941, is being returned to Paducah for burial.

The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) said the remains of 21-year-old Fireman 2nd Class (F2c) Hal Jake Allison were identified on October 14, 2021.

“In the days, months, and years following the attack, remains of men lost aboard the USS Oklahoma were recovered,” the DPAA said. “Those remains that could not be identified were buried at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (NMCP) at Honolulu, Hawaii. In 2015, the DPAA received authorization to exhume unknown remains associated with the Oklahoma and reexamine them using advances in forensic technology. From June through November 2015, DPAA personnel, in cooperation with cemetery officials, exhumed all remaining caskets associated with the USS Oklahoma at the NMCP and transferred the remains to DPAA laboratories. Laboratory analysis and the totality of the circumstantial evidence available established one set of these remains as those of F2c Allison.”

The USS Oklahoma was struck by torpedoes during the Japanese air raid and capsized, resulting in the deaths of 429 crewmen.

F2c Allison will be buried on April 8.

“These identifications are always heartbreaking for the families and for all Kentuckians who honor their service and sacrifice,” Gov. Andy Beshear said when F2c Allison’s remains were identified. “But we are grateful for the scientific advances and professional determination that makes it possible finally to bring our heroes home.”

By Ken Howlett, News Director

Contact Ken at ken@k105.com