BURNSIDE, Ky. — A Kentucky sailor who served on the USS Oklahoma during the attack on Pearl Harbor was laid to rest in his home county. Navy Seaman 2nd Class Floyd Helton was buried in Sloans Valley Cemetery next to his father and grandparents.

“We brought him home,” said Vicki Easley, the daughter of Helton’s half-sister. 

It was an emotional day for Easley and her family as they were finally able to have a proper burial for Helton. On Dec. 7, 1941, Helton was assigned to the battleship USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Pearl Harbor when Japanese aircraft attacked the ship killing 429 crewman, including Helton. He was just 18 at the time.

For decades, his family mourned his death, but never had closure. It wasn’t until April last year that the Navy was able to identify his remains, using DNA samples provided by Helton’s family.

“It’s only through the miracle of DNA and what they can do with that is how any of this happened,” Easley said.

Easley said her mother in particular, who received the flag from Helton’s casket, wanted this day to come more than anyone in order to fulfill a promise made long ago.

“We have brought him home, that was her father’s fondest wish,” Easley said. “That if anything was ever possible, that he could be brought home. Mother has fulfilled that promise.”

Easley said that the family has been deeply moved by the support they received. Not just by the nearly 200 people who attended the Burnside service, but from everyone who paid their respects during Helton’s initial homecoming on Thursday.

“So gratifying and humbling. Just really fantastic,” Easley said. “Any of the young men and women who served should get that kind of homecoming."

Easley said there are still families who are waiting for their loved one’s remains to be returned. Her message to them is to not lose hope.

“There’s always hope especially with the scientific breakthroughs that are happening all the time,” Easley said. “They need to keep their faith and don’t give up."