Remembering Pearl Harbor (Photo : REUTERS/U.S. NAVY PHOTOGRAPH)
For families who have suffered the horrors of the Pear Harbor attack of 1941, may finally see some closure, when the US begins exhuming the remains of close to 400 servicemen to be identified and given proper burials.
The suprise military attack which came during the early hours of the morning on December 7, 1941 by the Japanese Navy was a catalyst that propelled the United States to enter the second World War.
But for the families of those who perished in Hawai - more than 2000 in its number, the attack left a trail of devastation.
The identification of the remains will look to DNA testing and advanced forensic technology to identify the individual remains, the BBC said quoting US defence officials.
The US Defence Department 's Deputy Secretary, Bob Work said in a statement that they hoped to work "tirelessly" in order to recover the remains of loved ones who perished on board the USS Oklahoma battleship.
Mr Work said in his statement that while his team looks to provide resolve to as many families as posssible, he said not all families will be able to receive an "individual identification."
Since the devastating attack on Pearl Harbour in 1941, 35 crew members who perished on board the USS Oklahoma were identified and buried, the Defence Department said.
During the 1950's it was reported that the remaining unidentified remains of marines and sailors were buried at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific loacted in Phoenix.
Pearl Harbour survivor Ray Emory, now 93, told CNN the US Defence Department's announcement was something that he had been working towards a long time.
Emory a retiree has worked to ensure proper identification of graves of fallen comrades.
Remains of identified servicemen are to be returned to families for burial, along with full military honours.
