After 84 years, Navy Petty Officer Clyde McMeans, killed in Pearl Harbor, is finally laid to rest at Coastal Bend State Veterans Cemetery.
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — A Pearl Harbor sailor is finally laid to rest at the Coastal Bend State Veterans Cemetery after being killed 84 years ago.
Navy Petty Officer Clyde McMeans’ remains were identified more than 84 years after he was killed in the attack on Pearl Harbor.
McMeans was serving aboard the battleship USS California when Japanese forces launched the surprise attack on Dec. 7, 1941. The ship was struck during the attack, and McMeans was among the sailors killed. For decades, he was listed as missing in action.
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Three of his siblings submitted DNA in 2011, and in 2025, the family was notified that his remains had been identified.
Clyde’s niece, Kathy McMeans, and nephew, Wesley McMeans, said that although they never met their uncle in person, they knew him through memories shared by his brothers and sisters. They said today is a special day, knowing he is finally resting in peace.
“We are extremely happy, and we’re blessed that we have the honor to be able to celebrate his life and the ultimate sacrifice that he gave to our country,” Kathy said.
“Well, it, it, it comes as a, a blessing and finally some peace for all the nephews and cousins and everybody. Uh, we waited a long time. My dad was the second youngest of the siblings, and he passed in 2002, and that was one of the last things he said — ‘I wonder if they’ll ever bring Clyde home.’ So we’re just, we’re blessed to have this,” Wesley said.
The McMeans family said they are proud of their uncle, Clyde, who served and gave the ultimate sacrifice for his country.
The family hopes Clyde’s story will give other families waiting for answers hope that they, too, can find their loved ones, be reunited and finally lay them to rest.