SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — Dec. 7, 2023 marks 82 years since the attack on Pearl Harbor.

What You Need To Know

  • On Dec. 7, 1941, the Japanese military launched a surprise attack on the United States Naval Base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii

  • Every year on Dec. 7th we honor and remember the 2,403 service members and civilians who were killed during the attacks

  • A Pearl Harbor Medal of Honor Recipient from Ohio will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery later this month

Richard Ward Hanna is the nephew and namesake of James Ward, a U.S. Navy Seaman from Springfield, Ohio, who lost his life aboard the USS Oklahoma during the Pearl Harbor attack. Ward was just 20 years old when he died. 

“It’s hard to put in context today how a kid essentially reacted and was able to do what he did. And we’ve always been very proud of that. Our family has a few items, but not a whole lot," Hanna said.

Ward became one of 429 men who died aboard the USS Oklahoma that day, and for his heroic action, he was awarded the Medal of Honor, the United States Armed Forces' highest military decoration for his courageous acts helping guide his shipmates to escape their ship following the attack. 

“Being that age, being thrown into an event like that, that was totally unplanned, to perform what he did, he was deserving of the hallowed ground in Arlington," Hanna said.

In 2021, Ward’s family was notified by the Navy after they used DNA testing and identified Ward’s remains. His were among the final sets of remains that could be individually identified.

“It was really an extraordinary process because many of the unidentified were all put in two separate mass graves in Hawaii and that technology did not exist back then. So as the technology grew, and our country made the decision that they were going to do everything possible to get those remains identified," Hanna said.

On Dec. 21, Ward will receive a funeral service at Arlington National Cemetery. Ward’s remaining family will be present and are extremely thankful for the Navy’s dedication in making sure their beloved family member gets the recognition and proper burial he deserves.

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