Letter to Chuck Hagel, Secretary of Defense - Return of the USS Oklahoma Service Members' Remains

Letter

Dear Secretary Hagel:

I am writing to follow up on the March 6th letter signed by me and 14 of my Senate colleagues regarding the remains of the service members who lost their lives on the USS Oklahoma on December 7th, 1941. It has been 8 months and we have received no information from your office regarding the return of their remains, which is required for their proper burials.

In his April 9, 2014 reply, Assistant Secretary of Defense Michael Lumpkin made assurances that he had "discussed this matter" with you and "directed a review of the accounting of service members killed while serving on the Oklahoma." I would like to receive an update on the status of this review and any plans for the disinterment of the unknowns from the USS Oklahoma as soon as possible.

Furthermore, we have heard from confused and concerned constituents that the Navy is considering plans to bury these deceased service members in a mass grave on Ford Island. The prospect of such a plan is troubling and disconcerting; why would the Navy go through the exercise of asking the families if they want their loved ones disinterred and identified only to bury them together on Ford Island? The brave men who died protecting our great nation at Pearl Harbor deserve a final resting place of their families' choosing. I reiterate my request that their remains be released to their family so that they may be interred according to their wishes.

Please update me with any developments in this matter. Thank you for your service to this country.

Sincerely,

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