Roberto Stillman Garcia was one of the more than 2,400 souls lost on Dec. 7, 1941, when Japanese forces attacked Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
While it took nearly 84 years, Garcia, a seaman in the U.S. Navy, finally received the proper burial he deserved.
On that fateful morning in 1941, Garcia was stationed aboard the USS California, one of an astounding 21 ships either severely damaged or destroyed by Japanese bombers.
Coming Home to Texas
On Oct. 21, Garcia’s remains were buried, and the veteran received full military honors in a ceremony at the Coastal Bend State Veterans Cemetery in Corpus Christi, Texas. Garcia grew up in nearby Concepcion.
Oscar D. Garcia, also from Conception, said it was important to complete the family’s wishes in bringing their loved one home after more than eight decades.
“That was the unexpected surprise that technology has allowed us to experience,” he told KRIS 6 News in Corpus Christi.
Dream Becomes Reality
Garcia’s remains had been found after the Pearl Harbor attack, but could not be identified for several decades. Through the power of forensic science and DNA analysis, however, scientists confirmed earlier this year the remains belonged to Garcia.
Nickie Valdez, one of Garcia’s nieces, called the revelation a miracle.
“Eighty-four years. When he touched the ground in Texas, my dream became a reality,” Valdez said.
In recent years, more missing veterans from World War II, the Korean War, and Vietnam have had their remains verified thanks to DNA testing. Last May, Donald P. Gervais, a Vietnam War soldier killed in action in 1968, was finally identified and brought home for burial.
Continuing to Serve
In an amazing twist, Allison Ledesma, Garcia’s great-great-niece, serves as a lieutenant in the Navy. Where is she stationed? Pearl Harbor.
In one of the greatest honors of her young life, Ledesma was picked to escort her great-great uncle’s remains back to his Texas hometown.
And Ledesma is the only active-duty military person in her family. She was the perfect fit for the job.
“The stars really aligned for me to be able to be the one to honor him by bringing him home,” Ledesma said.
When Garcia’s remains touched down on South Texas soil on Oct. 17, the San Antonio International Airport honored the veteran with a ceremony on the tarmac. Water cannons shot off to salute the fallen sailor.
It was a moving experience that wasn’t lost on Garcia’s family. “I said I wasn’t going to cry, but how could I not?” Valdez said, wiping away tears.
After the airport memorial, Garcia’s remains were transported via motorcade to Seaside Memorial and Funeral Home. As the motorcade slowly rolled down the highway, it was followed by veterans and active-duty military personnel.
Family never gave up
After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Garcia was presumed dead, but his family believed he would one day return home and be put to rest.
“We have to have hope, and we should never give up,” Valdez said. “My grandmother said he would be back. She didn’t live to see it, but now it’s my generation that gets to witness it.”
Many people, including strangers, came to Garcia’s funeral to honor the Navy sailor. Service members and community leaders from across Texas were on hand to pay their final respects.
Recalling the “No soldier left behind” credo, fellow Navy veteran Andrew Perales felt a need to attend Garcia’s memorial.
“Knowing that amount of time and where he died and the importance of that moment in history, I said ‘Man, I got nothing to do today, I'm coming here today.’ Even if it’s 84 years later we're still going to bring him home," Perales said.
Garcia’s homecoming closes a long chapter in his family’s history. And despite the anniversary of Pearl Harbor closing in on 84 years, Ledesma said Americans should never forget the sacrifices so many service members made on Dec. 7, 1941.
“Many of our service members paid the ultimate sacrifice,” said Ledesma. “It is our duty and responsibility to honor those who gave everything in defense of our country.”
