11 thoughts on “Return to Makin Island …”

    1. There are 2,879 Marines still classified as missing in action from World War II. I expect that most of these Marines will never be recovered and returned home to their families. They are today known but to God; may they now rest in God’s loving care — which, of course, does little to relieve the suffering of their survivors. Amen.

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  2. The families, the loved ones, the friends are who are important. Those MIA’s are walking in fields of gold now waiting for their loved ones and friends. All in time.

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  3. I am elated your brothers from that great generation came home, Sir. Elated and emotionally stirring.

    The villager who was either part of the burial detail or simply witnessed it sang the first few words from the Marine Corps Hymm as the Marines finally returning home were being escorted onto the plane. He passed away shortly thereafter. Very poignant. His name was Baramoa, by the way.

    The Marines were buried three deep, one atop of each other. Their identification by CILHI was aided by the first use of mitochondrial DNA. BTW, there were 22 dog tags recovered. One M-1 Garand (the 1st use by the Corps, I believe, in WWII) is in stages of preservation by Naval specialists.

    My Dad, a US Army vet and who just passed away last month at the age of 99, lost his brother as a sergeant in the Japanese Imperial Army on Leyte, fighting against MacArthur’s invasion force. Of the 2,550 in his 41st Infantry Regiment, only 20 made it home. My uncle is still there on that island, his body taken back into the earth from whence he came. Perhaps he died in a spider hole of wounds, was hit by a barrage or died in hand to hand. We will never know. But the recovery of these great young Marines from 1942 likely meant the world to their descendants. I’m sure my Dad would have found great closure if his brother’s remains were brought home and identified before he himself passed.

    God bless the Corps and God bless America.

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    2. Wholeheartedly agree, sir. It pained me greatly to see Old Man Jack in such anguish when he was unable to suppress ugly remembrances – even after seventy years.

      Thank you for posting that reminder, Sir. God bless America.

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  5. A solemn and moving video — and story.

    Thank God for the USMC. They never forget their brethren, including their fallen brethren.

    If only Americans appreciated the USMC more!

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