17 Aug 2017: A casket carrying the remains of an Oceano Marine killed in the line of duty during World War II arrived back in California on Wednesday.
Pfc. George B. Murray’s flag-draped casket arrived at Los Angeles International Airport, then was driven to a funeral home in the Five Cities. Dozens of vehicles flying U.S. flags joined his hearse on the drive north starting in Buellton.
Pfc. Murray died in 1943 during a battle in the Tarawa Atoll of the Gilbert Islands. He was among approximately 1,000 Marines and Sailors who died in the battle.
Those service members were buried in several battlefield cemeteries on the island. Between 1946 and 1947, many of the remains were recovered, but Murray’s were never identified.
According to the Department of Defense, in 2010, an archaeological mission on the island discovered more remains and laboratory testing matched some of those remains to Murray’s records and a family member’s DNA.
Murray will be buried Friday at the Arroyo Grande Cemetery. A funeral procession will start at 10 a.m. and pass through Oceano along Highway 1.
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