Remains of NC sailor who died at Pearl Harbor finally coming home

The remains of a North Carolina sailor who died during the Pearl Harbor attack will return home next month more than 83 years after his death.

Petty Officer Neil Frye, a Hoke County native, was lost when the USS West Virginia was sunk by Japanese aircraft on Dec. 7, 1941.

Frye's remains were recovered during salvage operations but were not positively identified until last September.

He will receive full military honors during his burial ceremony at Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery in Spring Lake.

The service is scheduled for 11 a.m. on April 3.