Sailor killed at Pearl Harbor coming home

The remains of a sailor killed aboard the USS Oklahoma during the attack on Pearl Harbor nearly 76 years ago will be returned to Port Huron for burial on his family's plot in Lakeside Cemetery.

The remains of Machinist Mate First Class Fred M. Jones were recently identified by the Navy, according to a statement from Karrer-Simpson Funeral Home.

"The escorted casket will arrive via Detroit Metropolitan Airport and graveside military honors will be conducted under the auspices of the U.S. Navy at 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 20, 2017, at Lakeside Cemetery, 3663 10th Ave., Port Huron," according to the funeral home.

Jones was awarded the Purple Heart, World War II Victory Medal, American Defense Service Medal and the Asiatic Pacific Area Campaign Medal with one engagement star, according to the Navy.

"As to the process, the U.S. government has an ongoing effort to account for all Americans who are listed as prisoners of war or missing in action from all past wars and conflicts," Cullen James, a Navy spokesman said in an email. "The sailors and marines who were aboard the USS Oklahoma who were buried as unknowns are included in that mission. In 2015, the Secretary of Defense approved the disinterment and attempted identification of the USS Oklahoma unknowns."

Jones enlisted in the Navy April 1, 1929. He was 30 when he was killed.

Jones was followed in death by his father, Felix Jones of North Lake; a son, Jon Jones; a brother, Norman Jones; and a sister, Neta Jones Thompson Amis. He is survived by a daughter, Leilani Ronninger, a granddaughter, Helen Kelly Cosner, two great-grandchildren, Daniel Lee Cosner and Chrystal Leanne Cosner, all of Seattle, Washington; and a grandniece, Sue Nichols of Burton, Michigan.

Nichols said the family is grateful for the discovery. She said the Navy contacted them a few years ago about the efforts.

"I was quite surprised they could to that even, with so many being on the ship," she said.

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Contact Liz Shepard at (810) 989-6273 or lshepard@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @lvshepard.