ALBEMARLE, N.C. — Navy Seaman 1st Class Edward Talbert, killed in the Pearl Harbor attack, is finally home after his remains were identified almost 80 years after his death.

His remains were transported to his hometown, Albemarle, this week. His family held a celebration of life for him Saturday, on what would’ve been his 100th birthday.

What You Need To Know

  • The remains of Navy Seaman 1st Class Edward Talbert were laid to rest in his hometown Albemarle almost 80 years after his death

  • Talbert was killed in the Pearl Harbor attack on Dec. 7, 1941

  • His remains were identified through DNA

Talbert joined the Navy right after he graduated high school in Stanly County. He was assigned to the USS Oklahoma at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, when it was attacked by Japanese aircraft, killing 429 sailors, including Talbert.

Michael Crisco says he received confirmation in 2021 that Navy Seaman 1st Class Edward Talbert's remains had been identified. (Photo: Rachel Loyd)

His nephew Michael Crisco says a picture of Talbert in uniform sums up his personality.

“He’s got the biggest smile, happy, walking down the street,” he said.

Crisco was born after World War II, but he says his mother shared stories about her brother and said Crisco reminded her of him. 

For 80 years, keepsakes are all his family had to remember Talbert.

“I’m glad we was able to save this much,” Crisco said.

According to the Department of Defense, Talbert’s remains were buried at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, but, like a number of casualties at Pearl Harbor, were not immediately identified.

His family memorialized him in 1942. 

“As far as my grandparents, which was his mother and dad, and my mother, which was his sister, that was closure for them,” Crisco said.

Then, Crisco got a call in 2013 from the U.S. Navy asking for his DNA.

He and his sister sent samples and, eight years later, in 2021, he received another call confirming his uncle’s remains had been identified.

“I couldn’t believe it. It was just amazing that they could take remains after 80 years and identify somebody,” he said.

The Department of Defense says it has officially ended its project to identify everyone killed on the USS Oklahoma, confirming all sailors aboard that ship are accounted for.

But not every family will have the same kind of closure Talbert's family had this week. 

The DoD says 33 sailors could not be identified through DNA or dental records. Their remains were buried again at the NMCP in Honolulu on Dec. 7, 2021 — the 80th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack. 

The 33 sailors whose remains are unidentified are:

  • Yeoman 3rd Class Harding Coolidge Blackburn, U.S. Navy
  • Mess Attendant 1st Class Randall Walter Brewer, U.S. Navy
  • Machinist's Mate 2nd Class James Rufus Buchanan, U.S. Naval Reserve
  • Electrician's Mate 1st Class William McKnight Curry, U.S. Navy
  • Storekeeper 3rd Class George Perry Foote, U.S. Navy
  • Fireman 2nd Class George Edward Giesa, U.S. Navy
  • Chief Electrician's Mate William Ike Gurganus, U.S. Navy
  • Seaman 1st Class Robert Emile Halterman, U.S. Navy
  • Musician 2nd Class Louis Edward Harris, Jr., U.S. Navy
  • Seaman 2nd Class Jimmie Lee Henrichsen, U.S. Navy
  • Radioman 3rd Class Frank Samuel Hoag Jr., U.S. Navy
  • Storekeeper 3rd Class Chester George Hord, U.S. Navy
  • Officer's Cook 1st Class Willie Jackson, U.S. Navy
  • Seaman 2nd Class Charles Homer Johannes, U.S. Navy
  • Mess Attendant 3rd Class Jerry Jones, U.S. Navy
  • Radioman 3rd Class Warren Joseph Kempf, U.S. Navy
  • Shipfitter 2nd Class Algeo Victor Malfante, U.S. Navy
  • Electrician's Mate 1st Class Walter Benjamin Manning, U.S. Navy
  • Seaman 2nd Class Lloyd Elden McLaughlin, U.S. Navy
  • Yeoman 3rd Class Sam Douglas Nevill, U.S. Navy
  • Musician 2nd Class James Junior Palides, U.S. Navy
  • Storekeeper 3rd Class Eldon Casper Ray, U.S. Navy
  • Water Tender 1st Class Leo Basil Regan, U.S. Navy
  • Radioman 3rd Class Clyde Ridenour, Jr., U.S. Navy
  • Seaman 2nd Class William Lawrence Sellon, U.S. Navy
  • Musician 1st Class Rowland Hampton Smith, U.S. Navy
  • Seaman 2nd Class Rangner Faber Tanner, Jr., U.S. Navy
  • Seaman 2nd Class Charles Edward Walters, U.S. Navy
  • Seaman 1st Class Jack Dewey White, U.S. Navy
  • Musician 2nd Class Albert Luther Williams, U.S. Navy
  • Officer’s Steward 3rd Class Wilbur Slade Williams, U.S. Navy
  • Gunner's Mate 2nd Class John Layman Wortham, U.S. Navy
  • Chief Signalman Thomas Zvansky, U.S. Naval Reserve