A 3rd Marine Regiment color guard takes its place, July 25, 2015, during a repatriation ceremony in Tarawa, Kiribati. The ceremony honored the remains of approximately 36 Marines who fought and died during the Battle of Tarawa during World War II, and were loaded onto a C-130J Hercules aircraft to be transported back home to the United States. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Matthew J. Bragg)
The 3rd Marine Regiment took custody of 36 flag-draped caskets Saturday in Tarawa and flew them home to Hawaii via a Marine KC-130J where the remains will be identified (hopefully) and interred with full military honors.
Among the returned is believed to be the final earthly remains of 1st Lt. Alexander Bonnyman, Jr., who was one of four Medal of Honor recipients for his actions on Tarawa, and the only one whose remains have been unaccounted for.
Welcome home, Devils.
