YELL COUNTY, Ark. – A North Little Rock Navy man who lost his life at Pearl Harbor will be returning to his home state on May 30.
Royle Bradford Luker was a Fireman Third Class on the USS West Virginia when it was attacked while moored on Battleship Row at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, on Dec. 7, 1941. He was killed during the attack as the ship received multiple torpedo hits.
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Lurker was one of the 106 crewmen on the West Virginia who were killed in the attack. Others were able to save the ship by preventing it from capsizing, allowing it to rest on the shallow harbor floor. The ship was repaired and returned to service in 1944.
Officials said Luker was awarded numerous honors for his actions during the attack, including the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, World War II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, Navy Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Good Conduct Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, and Navy Expeditionary Medal. He was also recognized as a World War II Gold Star Veteran from Arkansas.
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Unfortunately, officials were not able to identify Luker’s remains and his name was added to the Tablets of the Missing at Honolulu Memorial in Hawaii. Recent DNA advances have allowed officials to work with family members to confirm the sailor’s identity…