Pearl Harbor sailor finally laid to rest in Minnesota hometown

EMMONS, Minn. (KMSP) - More than 75 years after the attack at Pearl Harbor, a Minnesota man who lost his life in the siege was laid to rest in his home state.

In a small church in Emmons, Minn., Glaydon Iverson finally came home, thousands of miles from the battlefield on which he died.

“It just gives me goosebumps to see the love and support of everybody,” said Debra Bidne, Iverson’s niece.

Iverson left Minnesota for the navy in 1941, setting sail on the U.S.S. Oklahoma, eventually making his way to Pearl Harbor. The ship was capsized by Japanese torpedoes on December 7 that year, killing 400 sailors, including Iverson.

Iverson’s remains were declared missing for over 70 years, until 2016. Just days after the 75th anniversary of the attack, news came that Iverson was no longer missing.

“It’s been surreal, it’s been amazing," said a nephew of Iverson. "And way beyond what we ever expected.”

Ultimately, state-of-the-art genetic testing by the navy identified Iverson’s remains, allowing his family closure.

“It’s just a great weekend for Glaydon to come home,” said Glaydon Iverson, Iverson's nephew.