Irvin Franklin Rice

RM3 Rice is preceded in death by his parents Archie and Flora Rice and brothers Delbert and Kenneth.

Petty Officer Third Class Irvin Franklin Rice was a Radioman Third Class on the USS Oklahoma. On 7 December 1941, during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, several Japanese torpedoes hit the Oklahoma's hull and the ship capsized. RM3 Rice was reported missing in action or lost at sea and ultimately declared dead. His remains were eventually recovered from the vessel; however, they could not be identified at the time, and were buried as unknown remains at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Irvin Franklin Rice was buried and memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. This is an American Battle Monuments Commission location. In 2015, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) received authorization to exhume and reexamine unknown remains associated with the Oklahoma using advances in forensic techniques. RM3 Rice's remains were disinterred and accessioned into the DPAA laboratory, where on June 5, 2020, the DPAA identified the remains of PO3 Rice.

Petty Officer Rice was awarded the following; World War II Victory Medal, Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, American Campaign Medal, Navy Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Good Conduct Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, and the Navy Expeditionary Medal.

A graveside service for Irvin will be held Saturday, October 2, 2021 at 2:00 PM at Roseland Park Cemetery, 29001 Woodward Ave, Berkley, MI 48072.

Those that would like to welcome RM3 home may do so by bringing their US Flags, Navy Flags, Post Flags, and POW/MIA Flags. Please line the Northbound side of Woodward between I696 and 12 Mile Rd. The funeral procession will be coming through about 1:45pm

Contributions in Irvin's memory may be made to Berkley American Legion Post 374, 2079 Twelve Mile Rd, Berkley, Michigan 48072.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.HarryjWillLivonia.com for the Rice family.