Dignified Transfer Return Home, Full Honors Burial of Tarawa Marine PFC Michael Kocopy

After 77 years PFC Michael Kocopy Tarawa Marine Returns Home January 23, 2020.

1602 Apple Street is the House that Michael grew up in.

Some old family photos

Mr. & Mrs. Harry Kocopy, of Apple Street, Boothwyn, PA received the Purple Heart Medal which was awarded to their son, Pfc. Michael Kocopy, who was killed in action on Tarawa on 20 November 1943.

Michael's family along with Katie Rasdorf of 'History Flight' have provided images for this tribute to this Marine hero from the Battle Of Tarawa.

Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced on Nov. 6, 2019 that Marine Corps Reserve Pfc. Michael Kocopy, 20, of Gardendale, Pennsylvania, killed during World War II, was accounted for on August 27, 2019.

In November 1943, PFC Michael Kocopy was a member of Company E, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force, which landed against stiff Japanese resistance on the small island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll of the Gilbert Islands, in an attempt to secure the island. Over several days of intense fighting at Tarawa, approximately 1,000 Marines and Sailors were killed and more than 2,000 were wounded, while the Japanese were virtually annihilated. Kocopy was killed on the first day of the battle, Nov. 20, 1943. His remains were reportedly buried in the Central Division Cemetery on Betio Island.

In 1946, the 604th Quartermaster Graves Registration Company centralized all of the American remains found on Tarawa to Lone Palm Cemetery for later repatriation. However, almost half of the known casualties were never found. No recovered remains could be associated with Kocopy, and in October 1949, a Board of Review declared him “non-recoverable.”

In 2014, History Flight, Inc., a nonprofit organization, identified a site correlated with Cemetery 26. Excavations of the site uncovered multiple sets of remains, which were turned over to DPAA in 2015, where they were subsequently accessioned to the DPAA laboratory.

To identify Kocopy’s remains, scientists from DPAA used anthropological analysis, as well as circumstantial and material evidence. Additionally, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis.

DPAA is grateful to the United States Marine Corps for their assistance in this mission. Additionally, DPAA is appreciative to History Flight, Inc., for their partnership in this mission.

After 77 years PFC Michael Kocopy Tarawa Marine Returns Home January 23, 2020.

The Return Home Dignified Transfer Of PFC Michael Kocopy U.S.M.C. MIA | Betio, Tarawa KIA | November 20,1943

This dignified transfer took place at BWI airport on Thursday, 30 January 2020 with a full honors burial at Arlington National Cemetery for PFC Michael Kocopy.

DPAA is grateful to the United States Marine Corps for their assistance in this mission. Additionally, DPAA is appreciative to History Flight, Inc., for their partnership in this mission.

Marine Escort L/Cpl Calvin LeClear escorted Home PFC Michael Kocopy

Delta Airlines Flight #2368 arriving BWI at 2:30 PM, 23 January 2020

Family member Great Nephew, Officer Anthony “Tony” Faverio, Jr. of the Metropolitan Police in Washington, DC paying his respects to Michael.

Honor our “Fallen Hero” by placing your hand over your heart as the Marine Corps Honor Guard carry Private First Class Michael Kocopy from the plane to the hearse for his final journey home.

Of the 16 million Americans who served in World War II, more than 400,000 died during the war. Currently there are 72,641 service members still unaccounted for from World War II with approximately 30,000 assessed as possibly recoverable. Kocopy’s name is recorded on the Courts of the Missing at the Punchbowl, along with the others killed or lost in WWII. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.

Marine Escort L/Cpl Calvin LeClear with Family member Great Nephew, Officer Anthony “Tony” Faverio, Jr. of the Metropolitan Police in Washington, DC.

Katie Rasdorf of 'History Flight' (on left) provided challenge coins to family members of PFC Michael Kocopy

Full Honors Burial For Tarawa Marine PFC. Michael Kocopy Arlington National Cemetery January 30, 2020

General Brian Cavanaugh, the Commandant’s Representative presents the flag of Our Country to Stephanie Archer, the niece of PFC Michael Kocopy.

U.S. Marine Corps: "On behalf of the President of the United States, the Commandant of the Marine Corps, and a grateful nation, please accept this flag as a symbol of our appreciation for your loved one's service to Country and Corps."

DPAA Director Kelly McKeague presenting a photo composite of PFC Michael Kocopy's recovery. Accounted for August 27, 2019.