FRANKFORT, Ky. (LEX 18) – Governor Matt Bevin issued a statement after the remains of a Kentucky World War II-era sailor killed in the Pearl Harbor attack were identified.
Navy Seaman 1st Class Millard Burk, Jr., 19, of Pikeville, died during the attack on Pearl Harbor. On Dec. 7, 1941, Burk was assigned to the battleship USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft. The USS Oklahoma sustained multiple torpedo hits, which caused it to quickly capsize. The attack on the ship resulted in the deaths of 429 crewmen, including Burk.
Burk’s remains were interred with multiple other unidentified crew members in the Halawa and Nu’uanu Cemeteries.
The remains were identified from dental and anthropological records.
Governor Bevin will order flags to half-staff in honor of Seaman First Class Burk on July 19.
Burk’s name is recorded on the Courts of the Missing at the Punchbowl, along with the others who are missing from WWII. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.
