Lehman died in Pearl Harbor, just a month before he turned 18
CALUMET -- After nearly 70 years, Gerald Lehman is finally coming home to be laid to rest. Lehman died in Pearl Harbor, just a month before he turned 18.
His remains will be returned in June to Calumet for burial. But how his remains were finally identified is the real story.
Lehman was buried as an unknown at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Hawaii at the Punch Bowl.
During his brief time in the service, he sent letters home. Through DNA collected on the letter's envelopes he licked, forensic pathologists were able to ID Lehman's remains, which were in a casket with five other people.
Officials say this kind of DNA identification has only been used 10 times since 2006.
Most of Gerald Lehman's relatives still live in the Keweenaw.
A large memorial service is being planned for June.
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