[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 211 (Tuesday, December 7, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S8959]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    80TH ANNIVERSARY OF PEARL HARBOR

  Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. President, December 7 marks the 80th anniversary of 
the attack on Pearl Harbor, which thrust the United States of America 
into World War II. I rise today to pay tribute to those who served and 
sacrificed at Pearl Harbor and throughout World War II to defend our 
liberty and freedom.
  The attack on Pearl Harbor killed 2,403 servicemembers and civilians 
and injured a further 1,178 people. Today, as we commemorate this 
anniversary, I want to share the story of the Barber brothers of New 
London, WI: Navy Fireman 1st Class Malcom J. Barber, 22; Navy Fireman 
1st Class Leroy K. Barber, 21; and Navy Fireman 2nd Class Randolph H. 
Barber, 19.
  The three Barber brothers all enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1940, and 
together joined the crew of the USS Oklahoma as firemen, which was 
anchored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor. When Pearl Harbor was attacked, 
the USS Oklahoma sustained multiple direct hits and capsized. Malcom, 
Leroy, and Randolph all died, as did 426 other crewmembers who were on 
board. Eventually, their remains were recovered, but could not be 
identified and were buried as unknown remains at the National Memorial 
Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, HI.
  Six years ago, the remains of 388 individuals were exhumed from the 
cemetery as part of a program launched by the Defense POW/MIA 
Accounting Agency--DPAA--which eventually was able to identify 355 
individuals and allow their remains to be returned home. This past 
June, nearly 80 years after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the remains of 
the brothers were finally identified and returned home to New London. 
On September 11, 2021, the Barber brothers were buried with full 
military honors in their hometown of New London.
  I am pleased that the brothers are finally home, and I am grateful 
for the work of those at the DPAA who worked to ensure that as many 
families as possible could receive closure and bring their family 
members home to rest. As we commemorate this solemn anniversary, I 
reflect on the service and sacrifice of 320,000 Wisconsinites who 
served in World War II and honor their contributions in defense of our 
Nation today and always.

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