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<p>Two families from the Wyoming Valley believed their sons were lost at the attack on Pearl Harbor 77 years ago today.</p><p>To their delight, that turned out not to be the case.</p><p>But it wasn&#8217;t until after almost a month of grieving when the Jokubonis family of Wilkes-Barre and the Kogut family of Larksville learned their sons were actually alive.</p><p>Navy Seaman First Class Walter Jokubonis, then 23, was initially thought to be the first sailor from the Wyoming Valley killed at Pearl Harbor. His sister, Stella Cosgrove, received a telegram Dec. 16, 1941, indicating her brother was &#8220;Lost in Action.&#8221;</p><p>A similar telegram was sent Dec. 19, 1941, to Mary Kogut in Larksville stating her son, Third Class Gunner mate Benjamin Kogut, then 21, was also unaccounted for.</p><p>Their sorrow turned to cheer when the two families received telegrams Jan. 2, 1942, from U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Handall Jacobs, stating the two men survived the attack.</p><p>&#8220;The Navy department is glad to inform you that your brother, Walter Jokubonis, Seaman First Class, U.S.N., previously reported missing following action in performance of his duty, is now reported to be a survivor. He will doubtless communicate with you at an early date, informing you as to his welfare and whereabouts. The anxiety caused you by previous message is deeply regretted,&#8221; the Jan. 2 telegram states as published in the Wilkes-Barre Evening News on the same date.</p><p>Jokubonis was born and raised in the Heights section of Wilkes-Barre and attended Dana Street School and GAR High School, and enlisted in the U.S. Navy in October 1940. He was stationed on the U.S.S. Portland, which was bombed during the attack.</p><p>&#8220;Deep sorry was changed to genuine gladness in the home of Mrs. Mary Kogut, Larkins Street, Larksville, this afternoon when official word came from Washington, D.C., to the effect that Benjamin Kogut, reported on Dec. 10, 1941, as lost while in action, was alive and safe,&#8221; the Evening News reported.</p><p><strong>Many from Valley there</strong></p><p>Telegrams were sent to Mr. and Mrs. William A. Rhodes, of Trucksville, and Mr. and Mrs. William A. Sauers, of Wilkes-Barre, stating their sons, Paul and Fred, respectively, survived the bombings at Hickam Field near Pearl Harbor, the Wilkes-Barre Record reported Dec. 23, 1941.</p><p>A large number of military personnel from the Wyoming Valley was in the immediate area of Pearl Harbor and at least one person, a woman from West Pittston, was serving there in a civilian capacity, the Evening News reported for the 26th anniversary on Dec. 7, 1967.</p><p>According to reports, listed as killed in the attack: Albert Joseph Konnick, of Wilkes-Barre, Brinley Varchol, of Hanover Township, and Keith Jeffries, of Newport Township; John Peter Rutkowski, of Nanticoke, and John Joseph Petyak, of Wilkes-Barre, who were stationed on the battleship U.S.S. Arizona; Joseph J. Resuskey, of Jenkins Township, Edward F. Slapikas, of Newport Township and John Burns, of Wilkes-Barre.</p><p>In September 2017, Slapikas&#8217; remains were identified by DNA testing and returned home for burial in June 2018. Slapikas, then 26, was stationed on the battleship U.S.S. Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor.</p><style>
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<div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/web1_Pearl-Harbor-01021942-WB-Evening-1.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Jokubonis </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/web1_Pearl-Harbor-01021942-WB-Evening-1.jpg</photo0><caption0>Jokubonis </caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/web1_Pearl-Harbor-2-01021942-WB-Evening-1.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Kogut </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo1>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/web1_Pearl-Harbor-2-01021942-WB-Evening-1.jpg</photo1><caption1>Kogut </caption1><photoCredit1></photoCredit1></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><subheadMeta>Locals survived Pearl Harbor, despite messages to families</subheadMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Ed Lewis</p><p>elewis@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><factboxMeta><p><strong>PEARL HARBOR</strong></p><p>For more on locals there</p><p>for that &#8216;Day of Infamy,&#8217; <strong>2A</strong></p></factboxMeta></div>

Weeks after Pearl Harbor attack, two local families learned their sons were alive