More than 1,100 U.S. personnel were killed in the bloody, 76-hour Battle of Tarawa and its aftermath. Due to extreme environmental conditions in the equatorial Pacific, remains were hastily buried in trenches and individual graves on and around sandy, one-square-kilometer on Betio.

KSSL shipyard, Cemetery 27 area is one of those lost grave sites. A nongovernmental organization (NGO), History Flight, Inc., notified DPAA (Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency) that they discovered a burial site on Betio Island, Tarawa and recovered the remains of what they believed were 35 U.S. Marines who fought during the battle in November 1943. These remains were turned over to DPAA in July 2016.

Nine more Marines were recovered from under this building including individual #43 later positively identified by DPAA as 2nd Lt George S. Bussa.

Connor Dixon (USMC 2005-2009) working in History Flight research office in Betio, Tarawa.

Maddeline Voas with remains of the last individual #43 recovered from under building in the KSSL shipyard, Cemetery 27 Silver Star recipient 2nd Lt George S. Bussa.

Kristen Baker lead forensic archaeologist (RPA) for History Flight taking photos of the last individual #43 recovered from under building in the KSSL shipyard, Cemetery 27 Silver Star recipient 2nd Lt George S. Bussa.

Glenn Prentice, team leader/UXO, History Flight Vice President. started his career volunteering in the Marine Corps in 1967. He was a radio operator and artillery forward observer. He also called in naval gunfire and close air support for the Third Battalion 26th Marines in Vietnam (67-68).

A Daughter was there to Welcome her Father Home after almost 74 years with his dignified transfer at BWI airport.

Jerilyn Ann Heise was only thirteen months old when her Marine father who was commissioned 2nd Lt George S. Bussa after receiving the Silver Star for gallantry in action on 15 January 1943, on Guadalcanal. After his platoon leader was evacuated for illness, Platoon Sergeant Bussa took command and personally led his platoon into action in the ravine west of Point Cruz and at all times fought bravely. Against heavy opposition the men under his leadership destroyed three enemy machine guns and other weapons. He accompanied the Company Commander and the Demolitions Officer into the enemy lines to locate targets. With the fire of his platoon he covered the demolition party while enemy positions were destroyed.

2nd Lt George S. Bussa was killed in the first day of the battle for Tarawa, November 20, 1942. His remains were determined to be unrecoverable but thru an NGO “History Flight” Bussa and a large number of other fallen Marines were recovered and are being return to their families.

Captain Solivan with John Heise, Jeri Heise and USO volunteer Theresa Beckof

Marine carry team moves casket containing the remains of 2nd Lt George S. Bussa to awaiting hearse vehicle.

Jeri Heise telling her husband John that "My mom would've been so pleased about the discovery," she said. "It's going to hit me at the funeral. He's here and he's home."

Marine James Prial presented Jeri Heise with some moments.

Captain Solivan, John Heise, Jeri Heise and Gunnery Sgt. David Nunez who escorted remains of 2nd Lt George S. Bussa to BWI airport.

October 10, 2017, Arlington National Cemetery a Marine body bears team ready to transport remains of 2nd Lt George S. Bussa to caisson.

Marine fly over tribute ceremony

Caisson procession to final resting spot in Section 60 of Arlington National Cemetery.

Mark Noah, Hattie Y. Johnson (USMC Casualty Office), Jeri and John Heise, Rondald (Chuck) Williams (USMC Casualty office)

Marine body bears team placing remains of Tarawa 2nd Lt George S. Bussa (Silver Star) at Section 60 gravesite.

Navy Chaplain sprinkles Holy Water onto the casket of 2nd Lt George S. Bussa

Then a final blessing

Gunny Sgt Nicholas J. Brundige salutes as flag folding ceremony begins

Twenty one rifle salute and Taps are performed.

The start of the thirteen folds of our flag

Jeri Heise is presented with the folded flag of her Father by BGen Kurt Stein

Jerilyn Ann Heise was only thirteen months old when her Marine father who was commissioned 2nd Lt George S. Bussa after receiving the Silver Star for gallantry in action on 15 January 1943, on Guadalcanal. After his platoon leader was evacuated for illness, Platoon Sergeant Bussa took command and personally led his platoon into action in the ravine west of Point Cruz and at all times fought bravely. Against heavy opposition the men under his leadership destroyed three enemy machine guns and other weapons. He accompanied the Company Commander and the Demolitions Officer into the enemy lines to locate targets. With the fire of his platoon he covered the demolition party while enemy positions were destroyed.

2nd Lt George S. Bussa was killed in the first day of the battle for Tarawa, November 20, 1942. His remains were determined to be unrecoverable but thru an NGO “History Flight” Bussa and a large number of other fallen Marines were recovered and are being return to their families.