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A hero returns home after 74 years

By adamg on Thu, 06/21/2018 - 6:18pm
John MacDonald's remains at Logan Airport

An honor guard at Logan Airport today welcomed home John MacDonald, a Somerville native and Allston resident, who, as a Marine, died on Nov. 20, 1943, during the first day of a battle to take the Pacific island of Tarawa.

State Veterans' Services' Secretary Franciso Urena, took the photo reports Marines from the 1st Battalion, 25th Regiment were joined by State Police, Boston firefighters and surviving members of MacDonald's family.

MacDonald's body was not found after the battle. In 2015, a private group found an unmarked burial ground containing the remains of 35 Americans. DNA and other evidence showed MacDonald was one of the servicemen.

His remains will be buried in the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne tomorrow.

Christine Tron of the VFW has more photos.

Neighborhoods: 
Somerville
Topics: 
History
Free tagging: 
Logan Airport


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Comments

By anon on Thu, 06/21/2018 - 6:20pm.

God bless.

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By anon on Thu, 06/21/2018 - 7:20pm.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Tarawa

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By anon on Thu, 06/21/2018 - 8:39pm.

For your service

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By Aeroguy on Thu, 06/21/2018 - 8:47pm.

n/t

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By anon on Thu, 06/21/2018 - 9:10pm.

Back home where he belongs. God bless.

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By Scooterdude on Thu, 06/21/2018 - 9:25pm.

...to show honor and respect,....

and

gratitude.

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By anon on Fri, 06/22/2018 - 3:36pm.

Curious why they brought the remains back, instead of leaving them where originally buried.

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By SwirlyGrrl on Fri, 06/22/2018 - 6:58pm.

The family requested that the remains be returned. There may be people who are still alive for whom this is important.

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By Brian Riccio on Fri, 06/22/2018 - 9:31pm.

gets left behind.

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