52-year-old Chief Petty Officer Duff Gordon was on the USS OKLAHOMA on December 7, 1941 when the Japanese bombed the naval base and the ship sank in the attack. For 75 years, he laid in an unmarked grave in Hawai’i until the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency took advantage of new forensic techniques that facilitated the identification of his remains. After 75 years, CPO Gordon made it home yesterday to some fanfare in Minneapolis;
Over 400 men died on the ship that day, but only 35 were identified immediately. It took seven decades of DNA technique improvements before other shipmates and Gordon could be identified and sent home.
“I think it is very important that we do honor those that we are able to identify like Chief Duff Gordon here and give him a proper homecoming,” said Rear Admiral Thomas Luscher, the Deputy Chief of the U.S. Naval Reserve.
Thanks to OC for the tip.
Welcome home, and may you finally rest in peace as you so rightly deserve…
Welcome home shipmate.
Welcome home.
Rest well.
Welcome home Chief. You may finally rest in peace.
may you finally Rest in Peace. Welcome Home.
Fair winds and following seas, Chief.
Welcome home, Chief Gordon. Blessings to you and for your service.
Welcome home, Chief… and may you rest in peace.
Welcome Home Chief…..
salute
Rest Well…..
Welcome home, Chief and Brother…. Rest I Peace at home.
Good to have you home Chief.
Rest well.
Sailor, rest your oar. Welcome home, Chief.
Welcome home Chief Petty Officer Gordon. God rest you now and be with your family. May they find peace.
Rest easy brother, welcome home.
RIP
Rest in peace, Sir.
Welcome home Chief. Wow, he was 52 years old and still a sea dog. Hardcore Navy man.
Welcome home Chief, after all these years. God bless you. Your sacrifice for our freedom will never be forgotten.
I suspect the chief would rather be drinking a beer in the Hukilau. (well known bar on Pearl street in ’41)
Chief Petty Officer Duff Gordon served in the US Navy in both WWI and WWII.
Welcome home.
Holden