Died on the USS Oklahoma

December 7, 2011, Boston Globe.

Thirteen days after the attack on Pearl Harbor, a telegram arrived at the home of Eugene Keller Eberhardt, machinist mate first class, saying, "The department appreciates your great anxiety and will furnish you further information promptly.  To prevent possible aid to our enemies, please do not divulge the name of the ship or station."

Eight weeks later, a Western Union telegram arrived, "After exhaustive search, it has been found impossible to locate your son.  He has therefore been officially declared to have lost his life in the service of his country."

That was the last they heard about him until this past fall.  The phone rang and a forensic scientist wanted a DNA test.  Thirty-six bodies had been recovered from the Oklahoma after it was raised and had been identified.  The rest were buried in 50 communal caskets.

GreGen