Sailor who died in Pearl Harbor attack buried in Arkansas 85 years later

PLAINVIEW, Ark. (HawaiiNewsNow/KTHV) – A sailor killed during the attack on Pearl Harbor was laid to rest Saturday in his hometown of Plainview, Arkansas.

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Fireman Third Class Royle Luker died aboard the USS West Virginia on Dec. 7, 1941.

He received full military honors during a burial ceremony at New Bethel Cemetery near Plainview with family members and Navy officials in attendance.

Luker’s family never thought they would be able to recover and bury his body because his remains were never positively identified.

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However, advancements in DNA technology helped identify his remains 85 years later.

“I wish my grandmother and my great-grandmother were here because it would have been very special, but better late than never,” said Tamela Henderson, Luker’s great-niece. “So, it means the world, and I appreciate all the people that have put so much energy and time into doing this.”

He was laid to rest by his parents near Plainview.

Arkansas Gov. Sarah Sanders asked that flags be flown at half-staff Saturday in his honor.

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