Funeral set for Alabama seaman killed in Pearl Harbor attack

October 18, 2019 at 11:30 p.m. | Updated October 18, 2019 at 10:38 p.m.

by Associated Press

ADVANCE FOR USE SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2014 AND THEREAFTER - 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. (AP Photo/U.S. Navy, File)
ADVANCE FOR USE SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2014 AND THEREAFTER - 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. (AP Photo/U.S. Navy, File)

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) -- A funeral is being held for an Alabama seaman killed in the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor nearly 80 years ago.

New outlets report the graveside service is planned for Johnnie Cornelius Laurie of Bessemer. He was a 25-year-old Navy mess attendant aboard the battleship Oklahoma when it was hit by multiple torpedoes on Dec. 7, 1941.

More than 400 crew members died, and many of their bodies were interred in cemeteries in Hawaii. Laurie's remains were among those that couldn't initially be identified.

The military recovered remains in 2015 and began using DNA testing and other methods for identification. The Navy says Laurie's remains were identified earlier this year.

Laurie's only living brother, Elmer White, says he's glad his brother is home.

Saturday would have been Laurie's 103rd birthday.

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