PORT HURON, MI -- U.S. Navy sailor Fred M. Jones has finally been laid to rest.
Aboard the USS Oklahoma when it was attacked by Japanese fighter planes on the morning of Dec. 7, 1941 in Pearl Harbor, the 30-year-old Otter Lake resident went missing in action.
He was a Machinist's Mate First Class aboard the Oklahoma when it sunk, leading to the death of 429 crew members.
Jones was transferred to the Oklahoma in May 1939 from the USS Case after having been aboard the USS Chaumont, USS Mindanao, USS Cincinnati, USS Colorado, USS Simpson and USS Noa, per a transcript of his Naval service.
"It's so overwhelming. All the people on the parade route and here, the respect -- it's truly overwhelming," said Helen Kellie Cosner. "I've always been so proud of my grandfather. Throughout my life, I told anyone who would listen. I don't have the words to tell you how happy this makes me. Truly, this is an honor."
It took decades of searching, but the U.S. Navy was finally able to identify his remains after the use of DNA testing with Jones' family members in the mid-Michigan area.
Great-niece Sue Nichols helped organize a funeral service with graveside military honors that took place Saturday, May 20 at Lakeside Cemetery in Port Huron after his casket was escorted from Detroit Metropolitan Airport.
More than 300 people, family members, police and veterans attended to show their respects for Jones.
"It's amazing. I wasn't expecting so many people," Nichols said. "It's overwhelming. I'm glad he's here. I'm glad it's over for him. Even though his life was over many years ago, I hope he is seeing all of this today."
Jones, a North Lake native posthumously awarded a Purple Heart, was buried next to his late sister Neta Jones Thompson Amis at the cemetery near Lake Huron.