The body of a Navy Fireman who died in the Pearl Harbor attack returns to Missouri Friday.
Charles W. Thompson will be laid to rest in Weaubleu, Missouri, where he grew up.
Thompson was a Firemen 1st Class in the Navy. He was stationed on the USS Oklahoma that was attacked on December 7, 1941.
His body was never recovered, along with many others.
Just over two years ago, Thompson's niece and nephew got a call from the Navy. Their DNA was needed to identify a body they thought was Thompson’s.
"We gave them a sample, not thinking much of it," said Durl Boswell, Thompson's nephew, who was born after Thompson died. "He was on the USS Oklahoma. He was a fireman first class, which pretty much tells you that he was in the bottom of the ships."
The DNA test confirmed Thompson's identity.
"I mean it's tough," Boswell said as he struggled to control his emotions. "It's something we are pleased about, very pleased."
Boswell said his parents never really talked about Thompson because of the pain of loss.
Boswell and his siblings have learned a lot about Thompson over the past two years digging through family belongings.
Thompson was born on Christmas in 1921. He went to a small, one-room school in rural Missouri.
His family encouraged him to go to college, but Thompson wanted to serve his country and learn how to use the big machines the Navy used.
Thompson's body was flown to Kansas City International Airport Friday morning.
From there, it will be escorted by the Patriot Guard and the Missouri Highway Patrol all the way to Wheatland, Missouri, where his funeral will be held Saturday.
