Aleut remains taken from Attu Island during World War II were returned to the Aleut Corporation from the United States Navy along with remains that were recovered by the USF&WS from Rat Island. These remains were repatriated recently to the Aleut Corporation under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA).
Karlene Leeper, Cultural Resources Program Manager with the U.S. Air Force 611 Air Support Group and their crew were instrumental in coordinating the trip to Shemya and assisting with the burial.
Pictured and assisting with the burial with Melvin Smith, General Manager of Aleut Real Estate is shareholder Robert Golley from Atka, who is stationed and works on Shemya Island.
The Aleut Corporation has three Historical and Cemetery 14(h)1 sites on Shemya. The gravesite these remains are laid to rest in holds various Aleut remains from the far western Aleutians and this ensures that the remains will not be disturbed again.