The families of five Hawaii men who served in a unit of Japanese-language linguists during World War II received posthumous Purple Heart medals on behalf of their loved ones on Friday, nearly eight decades after the soldiers died in a plane crash in the final days of the conflict.

A solemn ceremony took place on Friday, May 10, on the grounds of the Pearl Harbor National Memorial to honor five Hawaii-born Airmen killed during World War III. Various military officials were on hand to present the families of these fallen heroes their Purple Hearts nearly 80 years after they died.

Aug. 13, 1945 when their plane crashed during World War II. For years, only two victims had received Purple Hearts.

Thirty-one Japanese linguists for the U.S. Army died in a plane crash while attempting to land in Okinawa, Japan in 1945.

Hawaii-born WWII heroes were honored almost eight decades after their deaths on Friday, May 10. Mother's Day is on Sunday and many people are busy buying gifts for the special mother in their lives. As the rush continues,