Garrettsville sailor killed at Pearl Harbor being laid to rest after 80 years

Garrettsville, Ohio native William Paul Kubinec, who perished during the December 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor, will be interred with full military honors at the Northern California Veterans Cemetery on Friday.

Kubinec, a Fireman 2nd Class aboard the battleship USS West Virginia, was one of 105 Sailors lost when the ship was struck by multiple torpedoes and bombs during the surprise attack.

Born on December 16, 1919, Kubinec enlisted in the Navy on September 4, 1940is duties encompassed rescue operations, engineering tasks, and maintaining ship security.

Due to the extensive damage sustained by the USS West Virginia, many Sailors' remains were unidentifiable for decades. However, advancements in forensic science and DNA analysis led the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency to begin the process of identifying these unknown casualties in 2017.

Kubinec's remains were identified in November 2019, bringing long-awaited closure to his family.

The Navy Casualty Office played a role in notifying Kubinec's next of kin and assisting them with making final disposition arrangements. The family opted for a burial at the Northern California Veterans Cemetery, where Kubinec will receive a hero's farewell.

"It is never too late to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation," said Capt. Jeff Draude, Director of the Navy Casualty Office. "Bringing William Kubinec home to be laid to rest with full military honors is a privilege, and we offer our deepest condolences to his family."

The USS West Virginia, despite suffering severe damage, was ultimately salvaged and returned to service. The ship played a vital role in subsequent battles in the Pacific War before being decommissioned in 1947.