Flags Lowered to Half-Staff for Sailor Martin Young of Hawesville

Navy Fireman 2nd Class Martin D. Young of Hawesville, Kentucky, died in the attack on Pearl Harbor. His remains were identified last fall, and now the family can finally lay him to rest in Lewisport.

Gov. Andy Beshear has ordered flags lowered to half-staff at all state buildings and encourages the same for all individuals, businesses, organizations, and government agencies. From sunrise to sunset on Saturday, May 15th, 2021 flags will be lowered in honor of Fireman Young on the day of his interment.

Young was just 21 years old when he was killed in the attack on December 7th, 1941. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and those that loved him. Thank you for serving our country and protecting our freedoms. #hero

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According to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, "Fireman 2nd Class Young entered the U.S. Navy from Kentucky and served aboard the USS Oklahoma (BB-46). He was lost when the Oklahoma sank during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Young's remains were recovered from the ship following the battle, but they could not be individually identified and were eventually buried as unknowns at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. In 2015, advances in forensic tools prompted unknown remains associated with the Oklahoma to be exhumed and brought to the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. Young was eventually identified from among these remains."

Young is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Our media partners at 14news shared the news of his arrival home.