Full Breakdown
U.S. Military to Exhume Remains of 88 Unknowns from USS Arizona
3/6/2026, 6:53:58 AM
Overview of the Identification Effort
The U.S. military is set to exhume the remains of 88 sailors and Marines who died during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and were subsequently buried as unknowns at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu. This initiative, led by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, aims to utilize advancements in DNA technology to identify these servicemen, who perished during the attack on December 7, 1941. The exhumation process is scheduled to commence in November or December 2026, with approximately eight sets of remains being removed every two to three weeks.
Historical Context
The USS Arizona was bombed during the Pearl Harbor attack, resulting in the deaths of 1,177 crew members, nearly half of the total U.S. casualties from that day. The battleship sank just nine minutes after being hit, and its remains lie submerged, with over 900 sailors and Marines entombed within. Previous identification efforts have successfully named hundreds of crew members from other ships, such as the USS Oklahoma and USS West Virginia, using similar DNA methods.
Key Figures Involved
Kelly McKeague, the director of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, is overseeing the exhumation project. Kevin Kline, a real estate agent and founder of Operation 85, has played a crucial role in facilitating DNA sample collection from families of the deceased. Kline has contacted 1,500 families, with about 60% agreeing to provide DNA samples, significantly aiding the identification process.
Official Statements & Responses
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency had previously resisted exhuming the remains, citing a lack of medical and dental records for most of the unknowns. However, Kline's efforts to engage families have shifted this stance, leading to the decision to proceed with the exhumation. Kline expressed his satisfaction with the progress made, stating, “I'm happy that we were able to kind of pull this together and turn that hard no.”
Criticism & Opposition
Despite the positive developments, there has been frustration regarding the military's past reluctance to pursue this identification effort. Kline noted that only 1% of families had provided DNA samples as of 2021, which hindered earlier attempts to identify the remains. This historical resistance has drawn criticism from families seeking closure for their losses.
Verbatim Quotes
- “As she got older, she realized that her grandmother and her mom were still grieving about this loss,” — Kevin Kline, Founder of Operation 85
- “I'm happy that we were able to kind of pull this together and turn that hard no,” — Kevin Kline, Founder of Operation 85
What's Next
The exhumed remains will be analyzed at the agency's lab at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, with DNA samples sent to the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. The identification process is expected to provide closure for families who have endured generational grief stemming from the loss of their loved ones during the Pearl Harbor attack.
