The body of a World War II sailor, David Walker, who went missing during the attack on Pearl Harbor has been identified by the US Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency. Walker, a black sailor from Norfolk, Virginia, was assigned to the USS California on December 7, 1941, when the Hawaiian naval base was struck, resulting in the ship catching fire and flooding. As a result, Walker, who was 19 years old at the time, was one of the 103 crewmen killed. His body was finally identified through DNA analysis after being considered “non-recoverable” for several years.
Initially, only 42 men were identified after the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. However, in 1947, 39 more bodies were identified. The remains of Walker and the other crewmembers were among those considered non-recoverable by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency. In 2018, with advancements in forensic science, defense forensic scientists were able to conduct anthropological and dental analysis as well as mitochondrial DNA analysis to positively identify Walker’s body, providing closure to his family after almost eight decades.
Walker made the decision to drop out of high school and enlist in the segregated navy a year before losing his life in the attack on Pearl Harbor. His sacrifice and service were honored by the identification of his body, bringing a sense of closure and recognition to his family and loved ones. Walker will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery on September 5th, paying tribute to his memory and commemorating his bravery during the events of World War II. The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency has not yet responded to requests for comment on this significant identification and burial.
