Sailor Killed at Pearl Harbor to Be Honored at Arlington

SAVANNAH, Ga. — Nearly 84 years after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Chief Warrant Officer John Gaynor Connolly, a Savannah native, will be laid to rest with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery on March 27, 2025. Connolly was killed aboard the USS Oklahoma when it was struck by Japanese torpedoes during the surprise attack on December 7, 1941.

Once classified as an Unknown, Connolly’s remains were identified through DNA analysis and forensic testing conducted by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency. His family received the news of his identification last year. “It was an answer to a prayer,” said his nephew, James Brendan Connolly.

Connolly, born on April 28, 1893, enlisted in the Navy in 1913 at the age of 20. By the time of the Pearl Harbor attack, he was 48 years old and serving aboard the USS Oklahoma, which capsized during the assault, resulting in the loss of 429 crewmembers.

Connolly rose through the ranks to become a Chief Pay Clerk, overseeing payroll and finances on the ship. His naval career took him around the world, including service in China, Russia, and the Philippines. He was awarded numerous honors, including the Purple Heart Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, and multiple victory medals for his service during both World Wars.

In honor of his service, the Navy commissioned a destroyer escort named USS Connolly (DE-306) in his memory. The vessel earned two battle stars during World War II before being decommissioned in 1945.

For decades, Connolly was buried at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Hawaii among unidentified remains. However, advancements in forensic science allowed for the identification of numerous servicemen through Project Oklahoma, launched in 2015. This project focuses on recovering and identifying the remains of those lost aboard the USS Oklahoma.

The Navy will ensure Connolly receives a dignified burial, with a full honor guard, rifle salute, and a bugler playing Taps. As the nation prepares to pay respects, Connolly’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made during World War II.