The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced Wednesday the remains of at least 22 servicemen, killed during the battle of Tarawa in World War II, were returned to the United States in an Honorable Carry Ceremony at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii.
The Battle for Tarawa, part of an effort to capture Japanese-held territory within the Gilbert Islands, commenced on November 20, 1943. Over several days of fighting at Tarawa, approximately 1,000 Marines and sailors were killed and more than 2,000 were wounded. The Japanese were virtually annihilated.
"Today we welcome home more than 20 American servicemen still unaccounted for from the battle of Tarawa during World War II," said Acting Secretary of Defense Richard V. Spencer. "We do not forget those who gave the ultimate sacrifice, and it is our duty and obligation to return our missing home to their families and the nation. Thank you to everyone who took part in this repatriation."
DPAA is grateful to History Flight, Inc. for their continued partnership and dedicated support.
Of the 16 million Americans who served in World War II, more than 400,000 died during the war. 72,692 service members remain unaccounted for from World War II. Only 30,000 of those have been assessed as recoverable.
Photos courtesy of DVIDS.
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