After more than eight decades, a fallen World War II sailor from Concepcion, Texas has finally returned home.
Seaman Roberto Stillman Garcia, who was killed during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, will be laid to rest with full military honors on Tuesday, October 21 at the Coastal Bend State Veterans Cemetery in Corpus Christi. The ceremony starts at 1 p.m.
He died aboard the USS California, one of the battleships targeted during the surprise assault.
Garcia’s remains had gone unidentified for more than 80 years, until they were recently confirmed through advanced forensic technology and DNA testing.
“This is a miracle,” said Nickie Valdez, Garcia’s niece. “Eighty-four years. When he touched the ground in Texas, my dream became a reality.”…