Sailor to be buried in California nearly 83 years after Pearl Harbor attack

An Ohio native who was killed in the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor will be brought to his final resting place in California one day before the 83rd anniversary of the infamous air raid on the island of Oahu in Hawaii.

Fireman 2nd Class William Kubinec was one of 105 casualties from the USS West Virginia during the Japanese attack that also sunk the USS Oklahoma, USS California and USS Utah on Dec. 7, 1941.

Kubinec enlisted in the Navy on Sept. 4, 1940, as a Seaman Apprentice and advanced to Seaman 2nd Class, Fireman 3rd Class and finally Fireman 2nd class.

“Despite the name, this rating is not just about fighting fires. Part of the job functions include rescue, but the career path is also geared towards engineering. Fireman stand engineering watches, as well as power plant and ship security watches both in port and while underway, and are responsible for performing minor maintenance repairs. While performing watches they ensure all safety standards are being met with any associated engineering machinery. Fireman also assist with underway replenishment including transferring fuel and supplies,” the U.S. Navy stated in a release.

Kubinec, who was 21 years old at the time of the attack, was awarded a Purple Heart Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, American Defense Service Medal (Fleet Clasp), Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (Bronze Star) and a World War II Victory Medal.

The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) began the process of identification for unresolved casualties aboard the USS West Virginia in 2017 by using DNA and/or isotope analyses.

Kubinec will be buried at 2 p.m. Friday in the Northern California Veterans Cemetery in Igo, California.

He was born on Dec. 16, 1919, in Garrettsville, Ohio, but his family currently resides in Redding, California.