Honoring a Pearl Harbor Hero: Texans Invited to Attend Burial of U.S. Navy Servicemember Robert Stillman Garcia

Today, Texans will come together to honor and lay to rest U.S. Navy Storekeeper 3rd Class Robert Stillman Garcia, who was killed in action during the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

Texas Land Commissioner and Veterans Land Board (VLB) Chairwoman Dawn Buckingham, M.D., has encouraged residents across the state to attend the burial ceremony, which will take place this afternoon at 1:00 p.m. at the Coastal Bend State Veterans Cemetery in Corpus Christi. The event is open to the public, and all are invited to pay their respects to this fallen World War II hero.

Remembering a Life Lost at Pearl Harbor

Storekeeper 3rd Class Robert Stillman Garcia was only 23 years old when he was killed in the line of duty. Garcia was serving aboard the USS California when it was struck during the surprise attack by Japanese forces at Pearl Harbor. The assault claimed the lives of 165 servicemen, including Garcia, whose remains went unidentified for decades.

After more than 80 years, his remains were recently positively identified through DNA testing, bringing closure to a long chapter of uncertainty for his family and ensuring that Garcia will finally receive a hero’s burial on his home soil.

Journey Home to Texas

Following his identification, Garcia’s remains were transported from Hawaii to South Texas for interment. The ceremony, organized with the support of the Texas Veterans Land Board, will honor his service and sacrifice as one of the many who gave their lives in defense of freedom on that fateful day in 1941.

Commissioner Buckingham and VLB staff are encouraging Texans to attend as a show of gratitude and remembrance. The public nature of the event underscores the commitment of the Veterans Land Board and the state of Texas to ensure that all veterans are remembered and honored for their service.

A Legacy of Honor

The burial of Robert Stillman Garcia represents more than the return of one sailor — it symbolizes the enduring gratitude of a nation that continues to remember the heroes of Pearl Harbor and the generations who followed in their footsteps.

Events like today’s burial are part of the Veterans Land Board’s ongoing mission to serve veterans and their families, ensuring that their sacrifices are never forgotten. The Coastal Bend State Veterans Cemetery provides a final resting place for those who served with honor, offering a peaceful and dignified space for remembrance.

Event Details

WHO: Texas Veterans Land Board Staff
WHAT: Burial of Robert Stillman Garcia, U.S. Navy Storekeeper 3rd Class, KIA at Pearl Harbor
WHERE: Coastal Bend State Veterans Cemetery
9974 IH 37 Access Road
Corpus Christi, TX 78410
WHEN: Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at 1:00 p.m.