80th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor

Floor Speech

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Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. President, December 7 marks the 80th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, which thrust the United States of America into World War II. I rise today to pay tribute to those who served and sacrificed at Pearl Harbor and throughout World War II to defend our liberty and freedom.

The attack on Pearl Harbor killed 2,403 servicemembers and civilians and injured a further 1,178 people. Today, as we commemorate this anniversary, I want to share the story of the Barber brothers of New London, WI: Navy Fireman 1st Class Malcom J. Barber, 22; Navy Fireman 1st Class Leroy K. Barber, 21; and Navy Fireman 2nd Class Randolph H. Barber, 19.

The three Barber brothers all enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1940, and together joined the crew of the USS Oklahoma as firemen, which was anchored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor. When Pearl Harbor was attacked, the USS Oklahoma sustained multiple direct hits and capsized. Malcom, Leroy, and Randolph all died, as did 426 other crewmembers who were on board. Eventually, their remains were recovered, but could not be identified and were buried as unknown remains at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, HI.

Six years ago, the remains of 388 individuals were exhumed from the cemetery as part of a program launched by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency--DPAA--which eventually was able to identify 355 individuals and allow their remains to be returned home. This past June, nearly 80 years after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the remains of the brothers were finally identified and returned home to New London. On September 11, 2021, the Barber brothers were buried with full military honors in their hometown of New London.

I am pleased that the brothers are finally home, and I am grateful for the work of those at the DPAA who worked to ensure that as many families as possible could receive closure and bring their family members home to rest. As we commemorate this solemn anniversary, I reflect on the service and sacrifice of 320,000 Wisconsinites who served in World War II and honor their contributions in defense of our Nation today and always.

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