LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A Kentucky sailor killed during the attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941 was recently identified, and now laid to rest.
James Thomas Cheshire was buried on Friday morning at Arlington National Cemetery. Cheshire was born in New Hope, Kentucky, and then moved to Louisville. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1919 at 19 years old.
James Cheshire
Cheshire served on the U.S.S. Oklahoma when it was bombed by a Japanese air attack. Serving as Chief Pharmacist Mate, he was one of 429 sailors on board when the battleship capsized, according to Navy Casualty.
Cheshire was identified in 2018 thanks to modern DNA testing.
His granddaughter Amy Cheshire has been helping lead the family through the process and connected with new relatives thanks to the DNA matching.
"I think the most important thing is to have so much family there because a lot of us had never met each other," Amy Cheshire said.
About 40 family members flew in from across the U.S. to be at the burial ceremony. Later Friday they also held a reunion to get to know one another.
Now with closure from the burial, the family feels like they honored their loved one for his dedicated service.
"Really don't know how you're going to feel, but it's amazing how it feels like you've done justice to your loved one, and you've honored them and that all feels really respectful and good and loving," Cheshire said.
Navy Casualty said there are still 33 unknown sailors waiting for identification from the U.S.S. Oklahoma.
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