State Rep. Valerie Gaydos | Pennsylvania 44th Legislative District
State Rep. Valerie Gaydos | Pennsylvania 44th Legislative District
Rep. Valerie Gaydos of Allegheny has extended an invitation to her constituents in the 44th Legislative District to honor Fireman First Class (F1c) Walter F. Schleiter, who was killed during World War II and identified on May 18, 2018. Schleiter will be laid to rest with full military honors at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies in Bridgeville on April 11 at 1 p.m.
The procession to the cemetery will begin from R.D. Copeland Funeral Home's Moon Township location at noon. "F1c Schleiter, at the young age of 22 gave his life fighting for our country," stated Gaydos. "No matter how many years later – 83 – it is our duty to recognize his service."
Schleiter was serving on the USS Oklahoma when it was attacked by Japanese aircraft on December 7, 1941, at Pearl Harbor. The attack resulted in the deaths of 429 crewmen, including Schleiter, who was classified as missing in action.
Between June and November 2015, personnel from the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency exhumed remains from the USS Oklahoma Unknowns in Honolulu. On May 18, 2018, they identified Schleiter's remains.
For more information regarding family and funeral arrangements, contact the U.S. Navy Casualty Office or R.D. Copeland Funeral Home.
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