Tarawa: some are no longer missing...

[Ray Newman]

"Evans, referring to the Medal of Honor his grandfather earned posthumously for his heroism in World War II’s Battle of Tarawa, had reached the end of a five-year journey. His grandfather's story actually stretched back more than seven decades, to November 22, 1943, when 1st Lt. Alexander Bonnyman Jr. led his fellow Marines to charge a bunker that Japanese soldiers had managed to employ as a linchpin to hold back a relentless offensive.

" 'He was the one who on his own stood up there at the leading edge and was able to hold the surging Japanese back long enough for the Marines behind him to come up and finish the attack and take the bunker,' Evans said. “T 'he language they use is ‘extraordinary.’ ”
***

"On July 25, Marine pallbearers carried their 36 fallen comrades onto U.S. soil inside flag-draped caskets, as 'Taps' provided a backdrop to the somber scene.

“ 'It is one the most solemn ceremonies I’ve had the opportunity to participate in,' said Maj. Gen. Richard Simcock. 'For us, it’s always about accountability and bringing our Marines home after the fight is over.' ”

Read all 'bout it:
http://news.yahoo.com/american-war-heroes-return-home-7-decades-later-144504374--abc-news-topstories.html

 

[737tdi]

I read the article earlier today and it brought tears to my eyes. I did not know the number of missing/dead that were still unaccounted for. I am glad there are some taking the time and effort to bring these young heroes home. I hope they are in heaven looking down and saying, dang I finally made it home.

Semper Fi:

Karl

 

[sfhogman]

"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them."

Excerpt from "For the Fallen" by Laurence Binyon


Jeff

 

[RugerHound]

Welcome home Marines. God bless your souls.

 

[RKB]

Lt Bonnyman was laid to rest in his home town of Knoxville, TN yesterday.
http://www.wbir.com/story/news/local/2015/09/27/journeys-end-lt-bonnymans-remains-reach-final-resting-place/72948310/

 

[Rick Courtright]

Hi,

This is not the story I thought it was going to be, so please excuse a slight bit of thread drift I believe will underline the solemn nature of this mission:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6f_FvZpm3g

Welcome home, Marines, one and all!

Rick C