Third Class Petty Officer Ronald P. Yuhas, who lost his life aboard a Navy landing craft in Da Nang harbor after it was struck by a North Vietnamese rocket on February 25, 1969, is finally coming home after 56 years. He was one of more than 25 sailors who perished in the explosion. A funeral service will be held for Yuhas at Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home on June 12, before his remains are interred with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery on June 23.
Yuhas enlisted in the U.S. Navy at just 17, with his parents’ permission, shortly after graduating high school in Shenandoah. His family has a proud military history; his father, Peter Yuhas, was a decorated World War II veteran who fought in multiple theaters. Ronald grew up in an active, community-oriented family, participating in sports and serving as an altar boy.
Upon Ronald’s death, Shenandoah Mayor Albert J. Matunis declared a day of mourning, reflecting the community’s deep sorrow. His family, particularly his older sister Marlene and brother-in-law Patrick McGrath, have worked tirelessly to bring him back home to be laid to rest with honor. Marlene, a retired nurse, expressed both profound sadness for her brother’s loss and relief that he will finally receive a proper burial reflecting his sacrifice.
Initially interred in the U.S. Naval Cemetery in Guam after his remains could not be positively identified, the quest to bring Yuhas home began in earnest after the passing of his father in 2018. McGrath took on the challenge, navigating legal and logistical hurdles to arrange for Yuhas’s disinterment and transport. Despite the government’s initial refusal to cover costs due to their position that Yuhas had received a proper burial, the McGrath family financed the repatriation out of their own pocket.
The emotional moment came when Yuhas’s remains arrived at Philadelphia International Airport on May 29, greeted by family members and a somber announcement to passengers as the casket was unloaded. This poignant occasion signified not just the return of a fallen warrior, but also the closure for a family and a community that has mourned his loss for decades.
Yuhas’s story is one of valor, heartache, and ultimately, redemption, embodying the enduring commitment to honor those who serve and sacrifice for their country.
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