Courtesy Photo | Members from the Kansas Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association Chapters of Wichita,...... read more read more
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The day was warm and spirits were high on Oct. 8 as the engines of 186 motorcycles hummed through the backroads of Haysville, Kansas, to escort home and then lay to rest Navy Seaman 2nd Class Lewis Lowell Wagoner, who had been missing in action for 75 years.
“Uncle Lewis was 20 years old and served with the U.S. Navy, and he was aboard the USS Oklahoma during the attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941,” said 2nd Lt. Kyle Kegley, fire direction officer, 2nd Battalion, 130th Field Artillery Brigade, Kansas Army National Guard.
For as long as he could remember, Kegley heard the story of his great-great uncle Lewis.
Kegley said stories told over the years indicate a shipmate friend of Wagoner's was the last person to see him alive. The friend spoke about how the two men dove off the Oklahoma after the ship was hit by torpedoes, into water which had mixed with oil and fuel and was on fire. Though his friend survived, Wagoner, who was not a good swimmer, was never seen alive again.
From December 1941 to June 1944, U.S. Navy personnel recovered the remains of the deceased crew of the Oklahoma, which were subsequently interred in the Halawa and Nu’uanu cemeteries, according to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency.
Remains from unknown casualties have been DNA tested over the years to recover the identity of servicemembers who are missing in action.
Kegley said the family was notified in 2014 that previously recovered remains had been identified as Wagoner’s.
The family kept waiting for a date when they could bring his remains home, to Whitewater, Kansas, for burial. During Christmas season of 2015, they were told that in 2016 the family could finally bring Wagoner home.
Kegley has served in the Kansas National Guard since 2009 and, as a service member, he said he felt it a duty and honor to make the event as large and momentous as possible.
“The United States military is the best in the world,” Kegley said. “We stick by each other through thick and thin. We are a family. And any one of us would sacrifice ourselves for the greater good. And that is what my Uncle Lewis did. He is a true American hero.”
Working together with his wife, 1st Lt. Kathleen Kelly, assistant supply officer, 1st Inf. Div. Artillery, and fellow Patriot Rider, Staff Sgt. Keith Chase, reconnaissance noncommissioned officer, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Inf. Div., they notified veterans across the country about the supported needed for the burial and escort ceremony.
More than 60 volunteers were present from the Kansas Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association Chapters, Wichita, Junction City and Kansas City. Thenat least 6 different Veterans of Foreign Wars and Legion Posts members, Veterans Motorcycle Club, Legacy Vets Motorcycle Club, and the Patriot Guard Rider members helped to support the celebration of life. There were 186 motorcycles for the honor ride.
“About 100 family members, friends and unit members were present,” Kegley said. “There were well over 300 people present to honor Uncle Lewis.”
The CVMA is made up of veterans from all branches of the United States Armed Forces who ride motorcycles. Their mission now is to support and defend those who have defended the country and the freedoms of its citizens, according to the CVMA website.
“It was an emotional day, because not every family gets the opportunity to say goodbye to their loved ones,” said Kelly, who is a new member of CVMA. Wagoner “went somewhere that was seemingly safe; he was on U.S. soil — and then he never came home.”
The attack on the ship resulted in 429 casualties, including Wagoner, according to the POW/MIA.
“After 75 years of waiting, his family received closure,” Kelly said.
Since the formation of the National League of POW/MIA Families, the league has sought the return of all POWs, the fullest possible accounting for those still missing and repatriation of all recoverable remains, according to the POW/MIA website.
“It was a sight to see,” said Chase in reference to the convoy. “The attack on Pearl Harbor shocked our nation many years ago, and this event helped us to remember what this nation fights for and the sacrifices people make to keep this country safe.”
During Wagoner’s eulogy, Kegley referenced a book given to him that lists the names of every sailor on the Oklahoma. He held up the book to share with all those who attended the burial.
“When you flip to page 217, you will find Uncle Lewis's name, and his status listed as MIA. But not anymore, he is no longer MIA,” Kegley said. “Today is the day we can rewrite the history books. Lewis L. Wagoner, you’re home.”
| Date Taken: | 10.08.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 11.14.2016 14:17 |
| Story ID: | 214574 |
| Location: | HAYSVILLE, KS, US |
| Web Views: | 168 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Honor Ride: Fallen hero buried after 75 years missing in action, by SGT Elizabeth Jones, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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