Eighty-three years after the attack on Pearl Harbor, a hero’s story comes full circle. U.S. Navy Seaman 2nd Class John C. Auld, lost in the chaos of the USS Oklahoma’s sinking, has finally returned home. His identification marks a profound victory for science, perseverance, and humanity.
This breakthrough is part of a larger effort that identified over 350 sailors, rewriting what’s possible in forensic science. How many more names might history yet recover?
The Final Journey Home
Born in Newcastle, England, in 1918, Auld’s path led him to Detroit, where he enlisted in the Navy in 1940 at 23. His life was cut tragically short on December 7, 1941, when Japanese torpedoes struck the USS Oklahoma. (ref)
The battleship capsized in mere minutes, claiming the lives of 429 crew members, with only 32 survivors emerging from the catastrophe.
Identifying Auld’s remains represents a triumph of modern forensic science and unwavering dedication.
Through advanced DNA technology, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) successfully identified over 350 service members from the USS Oklahoma, bringing closure to countless families.
The USS Oklahoma Project
The comprehensive identification effort, known as the USS Oklahoma Project, commenced in 2015 with remarkable results:
- Scientists employed anthropological analysis, DNA testing, and material evidence
- Over 350 service members were successfully identified
- Only 33 individuals remain unidentified from the original 380
- The project officially concluded in 2021
A Family’s Closure
Richard Auld, the sailor’s nephew, never met his uncle but grew up hearing stories about “Jack” from his grandmother, Lillian. The family’s emotional connection to their lost sailor remained strong through generations.
The choice of Albuquerque as Seaman Auld’s final resting place carries deep significance, as his brother and mother are buried there.
Though the remains were identified in 2018, the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the funeral arrangements, making the December 2024 ceremony even more meaningful.
Historical Impact & Legacy
The attack on Pearl Harbor remains one of the most pivotal moments in American history. (ref)
The USS Oklahoma suffered particularly heavy losses, taking nine torpedo hits in less than fifteen minutes. The ship’s casualties were second only to the USS Arizona, which lost over 1,100 sailors.
Key statistics from that fateful day:
- 2,400 American lives lost
- 20 naval vessels destroyed
- 8 battleships damaged or sunk
- The attack led to America’s entry into World War II
Modern DNA Technology’s Role
The breakthrough in identifying Seaman Auld’s remains showcases the remarkable advances in forensic science.
The DPAA laboratory combined mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis with autosomal DNA testing and anthropological examination. (ref) This sophisticated approach has revolutionized the identification of historical remains, offering hope to thousands of families still waiting for answers about their loved ones lost in various conflicts.
The success of this identification process has led to the development of new protocols for handling historical remains, setting a precedent for future identification efforts.
The techniques refined during the USS Oklahoma Project continue to help identify service members from other conflicts, including those from the Korean War and Vietnam War.
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Nancy Maffia
Nancy received a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.
