CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — After more than eight decades, a fallen World War II sailor from Concepcion, Texas has finally returned home.
Seaman Roberto Stillman Garcia, who was killed during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, was laid to rest with full military honors on Tuesday, October 21 at the Coastal Bend State Veterans Cemetery in Corpus Christi.
“We were able to complete the desires of the family to bring him home. That was the unexpected surprise that technology has allowed us to experience,” Concepcion resident Oscar D. Garcia said.
He died aboard the USS California, one of the battleships targeted during the surprise assault.
Garcia’s remains had gone unidentified for more than 80 years, until they were recently confirmed through advanced forensic technology and DNA testing.
“This is a miracle,” said Nickie Valdez, Garcia’s niece. “Eighty-four years. When he touched the ground in Texas, my dream became a reality.”
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A Hero’s Homecoming
Garcia’s journey home began in Hawaii, where his great-great-niece, U.S. Navy Lt. Allison Ledesma, serves on active duty at Pearl Harbor. Ledesma, who never met Garcia, was chosen to escort his remains to Texas.
“I’m the only active duty person in our family,” Ledesma said. “The stars really aligned for me to be able to be the one to honor him by bringing him home.”
A solemn ceremony on the tarmac of the San Antonio International Airport included other members of the U.S. Navy and water canons marking Garcia’s arrival to Texas on Friday. Family members, including Valdez, were able to watch through tears as his casket was received.
“I said I wasn’t going to cry, but how could I not?” she said.
From there, a motorcade carried Garcia’s remains to Corpus Christi, a procession flanked by fellow veterans and service-members who lined the route to Seaside Memorial Park and Funeral Home to pay their respects.
A Long-Awaited Closure
Garcia was among 2,403 Americans killed during the Pearl Harbor attack. For decades, his family held onto hope that one day he would return.
“We have to have hope, and we should never give up,” Valdez said. “My grandmother said he would be back. She didn’t live to see it, but now it’s my generation that gets to witness it.”
Garcia's funeral service in Corpus Christi brought together strangers, fellow service members and community members from across the state. A story that once lived on through memories in his hometown, now remembered and honored for generations to come.
"Knowing that amount of time and where he died and the importance of that moment in history, I said 'man I got nothing to do today, I'm coming here today.' It’s that no one left behind mentality. Even if its 84 years later we're still going to bring him home," fellow Navy Veteran Andrew Perales said.
Garcia’s burial will mark the end of a chapter, but his family says his legacy will endure, not only in their hearts but also in future generations who serve.
“Many of our service members paid the ultimate sacrifice,” said Ledesma. “It is our duty and responsibility to honor those who gave everything in defense of our country.”
More Veterans In Focus stories are available here, along with resources for local veterans.
Contact Veterans In Focus reporter Michelle Hofmann at michelle.lorenzo@kristv.com
