U.S. Navy Storekeeper 3rd Class Robert Stillman Garcia’s remains return home to Texas after 84 years listed as missing in action.
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The family of a sailor who was killed during the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 is honoring his long-awaited return home to Texas after he was listed as missing in action 84 years ago.
The Coastal Bend State Veterans Cemetery will be holding a burial service for U.S. Navy Storekeeper Third Class (SK3) Robert Stillman Garcia on October 17 at 1 p.m. at 9974 I-37 Access Rd in Corpus Christi.
SK3 was a native of Concepción, Texas, but his remains were identified earlier this year.
According to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA), SK3 entered the U.S. Navy from Texas and served aboard the battleship USS California (BB-44). On Sunday, December 7, 1941, Japanese carrier-based aircraft launched a surprise attack on the U.S. Navy base and ships at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
In the early minutes of the attack, the USS California, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, was hit by two torpedoes and a bomb, sustaining significant damage during the attack. Roughly 100 crew members were lost during the incident, including Garcia.
SK3 died at the age of 23.
His great-grandniece, U.S. Navy Lt. Allison Ledesma, received his remains during a formal chain-of-custody ceremony at the DPAA facility in Hawaii. Lt. Ledesma will also personally take part in the escort as her great-granduncle’s remains are brought from San Antonio to Corpus Christi under full military honors.
“After 84 years, our family can finally bring Robert home,” said the relatives of SK3 Garcia. “He represents the courage and sacrifice of all who stood in defense of freedom that day.”
For more information on the burial service, click here.