A Cedar Rapids native who died in the attack on Pearl Harbor more than 75 years ago will finally be coming home.

23-year-old SM3C William James Shanahan Jr. of Cedar Rapids died on December 7th, 1941. Officially, Shanahan was listed for years as missing in action as his remains were not initially found. According to family members, Shanahan was born on July 22nd, 1918 in Cedar Rapids. He attended St. Patrick's school in Cedar Rapids and graduated from St. Patrick's High School in 1936. He was a Gazette carrier and later worked for Concrete Materials Company. Shanahan chose to enlist in the U.S. Navy on October 5th, 1940. He was following in the footsteps of his father, who served in the Navy during World War 1.

Shanahan is survived by his sister, Mary Lou Shanahan Pierce of Cedar Rapids, along with many nieces and nephews. Services will be held at St. Patrick's Church in Cedar Rapids on September 3rd at 10 a.m. Full military honors will be held graveside at Mt. Calvary Cemetary in Cedar Rapids.

 

[via CBS2]

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