FARGO, N.D. (SEPT. 30, 2019) – Gov. Doug Burgum Monday night joined military veterans, active duty service members, community members and relatives of U.S. Navy Radioman 2nd Class Floyd A. Wells to honor the Cavalier native as his remains were returned to North Dakota nearly 78 years after he died at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

Wells was aboard the USS Arizona on Dec. 7, 1941, when the Imperial Japanese Navy attacked the U.S. Navy fleet docked at Pearl Harbor. The attack resulted in the deaths of 1,177 crewmen of the USS Arizona. The majority were never recovered from the wreckage and are entombed in the USS Arizona Memorial, according to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA).

Wells’ remains were recovered but not identified, and he was interred as an unknown service member at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu. The DPAA recently identified his remains, which were returned tonight to Hector International Airport in Fargo.

“For many relatives of the 2,403 service members and civilians who died at Pearl Harbor, the ‘date that will live in infamy’ led to decades of agonizing uncertainty, facing each day without knowing the fate of their loved ones,” Burgum said. “We deeply appreciate the DPAA for honoring the legacy of Floyd Wells by bringing him home to North Dakota, where his service and sacrifice will always be remembered with everlasting gratitude and respect.”
Wells will be interred with full military honors during a formal ceremony at 1 p.m. Tuesday at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery near Mandan.

Previously…

Bismarck  (NDNG)- Radioman 2nd Class Floyd A. Wells, a World War II-era Sailor originally from Cavalier, N.D., will be interred at the N.D. Veterans Cemetery on Tuesday, Oct. 1. Wells will receive full military honors during a formal ceremony which will begin at 1 p.m.

The ceremony will be conducted at the flag plaza in the center of the cemetery. In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be moved inside to the on-site chapel.

The public and media are invited to attend, but please note that the chapel has an extremely limited area for spectators.

Wells was killed on Dec. 7, 1941 when the Imperial Japanese Navy attacked the U.S. Navy fleet docked at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. His remains were recently identified as detailed by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency news release of June 3, 2019.

The U.S. Navy will provide funeral honors during the interment services and handle the dignified transfer at Hector International Airport in Fargo on Sept. 30. The N.D. National Guard Funeral Honors will provide a detail to render a rifle volley salute during services.