The Blue Guard ~ Howard County Pipes & Drums

Marine Body Bearers along with 1st Lt Gabriel Foster stand at the ready for this dignified transfer of 1st Lt. Justin G. Mills

TSA Honor Guard for BWI Airport

American flight #2314 is bringing home First Lieutenant Justin G. Mills of the United States Marine Corps, Active Duty. First Lieutenant Mills was “Killed in Action” on November 20, 1943 in the Battle of Tarawa. The battle took place during World War II on the Island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll in the Gilbert Islands in the Pacific Ocean. First Lieutenant Mills was 25 years old and was from Galveston, Texas and was the grandson of G.W. Wells, one of the original trail drivers of Texas. To fellow Marines, he was known as “Tex”.

On the tarmac to welcome home her uncle is his niece Janet A. Cook. Janet’s mother was the sister of First Lieutenant Mills. Joining Janet are members of our Airport Family.

Hand Salute is call, Mike Dunn BWI Security salutes as the casket bearing the remains of 1st Lt. Justin G. Mills is lowered down the ramp.

Marine Escort walks niece Janet Cook and her friend Steve up to casket containing the remains of her uncle First Lieutenant Justin G. Mills

We thank First Lieutenant Mills for his faithful service and dedication to our country, Semper Fidelis Marine.

Marine Body Bearers move towards the casket

Marine Body Bearers place the casket containing the remains of 1st Lt. Justin G. Mills into the hearse.

TAPS were played and one final salute.

On May 26, 2021, Marine Corps Reserve 1LT Justin Green Mills, 25, killed in World War II, was finally laid to rest - in American soil - with full military honors.

Born December 12, 1917, in Houston, Texas, Justin was the 2nd of three children blessed to the union of Roger Quarles and Aline Mary (nee Ruiz) Mills.

Before his baby sister was born, the family moved to Grandpa and Grandma Mills' farm in Lockhart. Jobs were tough to come by in those days though. Roger worked for a bit in Lockhart as an automobile mechanic and later surveying ship cargo in Galveston where he moved the family. After graduating high school, Justin returned to his grandparents' farm. When Green passed in July of 1934, his namesake helped keep things running smoothly for his Grandma Mary.

Justin was already serving our country when Japanese Imperial Forces attacked Pearl Harbor. After high school, he'd joined the Marine Corps Reserves and earned some additional money as an office boy at the steam railroad where his father was a policeman. He later re-enlisted though in San Diego on June 9, 1942 and continued to advance through the ranks. When SGT Mills shipped out into the Pacific Theater, he was an absolute force to be reckoned with. His first taste of combat came at the Battle of Guadalcanal, where he would lead platoon - and fight along side them - valiantly. For his actions there, "Tex" was awarded the Silver Star.

SILVER STAR CITATION
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant Justin G. Mills (MCSN: 0-11121), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity during action against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands Area on November 3, 1942. Commanding a platoon of Company C, First Battalion, Second Marines Reinforced, in an attack against heavy hostile resistance along the beach on the right side of the zone of action, Second Lieutenant Mills, when his platoon encountered vigorous opposition, courageously pushed forward in the face of machine gun, mortar and point-blank 37-mm gunfire. Although his platoon suffered heavy casualties, he succeeded in capturing and holding his objective. His heroic devotion to duty, maintained at great risk in the face of grave danger, was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

First Lieutenant Mills was with his brothers in Charlie Company, 1st Battalion of the 2nd Marines (C-1/2) when they landed on Betio as part of Operation: GALVANIC. The mission of the 2nd Marine Division was to secure the island in order to control the Japanese airstrip in the Tarawa Atoll; thereby preventing the Japanese Imperial forces from getting closer to the United States, and enabling US forces to get closer to mainland Japan. It would become one of the bloodiest battles in the Corps history.

It was November 20th (D-Day of the "Battle of Tarawa") when young Justin - just 25 years old - perished. He was reportedly buried in Division Cemetery - a temporary location chosen by his fellow Marines, the survivors of the battle, until the Fallen could be recovered and returned to their families.

Having a loved one away from home during the holidays is always trying; however, having a son or husband off fighting in the war left the whole family on edge. The fact that this battle took place just before Thanksgiving meant that most of the families, who had unknowingly earned their Gold Star, would receive their heart-wrenching telegrams on Christmas Eve – some Christmas Day or even New Years Day.

The casket will be removed from the hearse and placed, secured on the caisson

Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey fly over.

Adjustments were made to secure the flag of Our Country.

Arlington representative gives instruction to family members walking to the grave site.

Fort Myer caisson team

Remains of 1LT Justin Green Mills are removed from the caisson and carried by Marine Barracks Washington DC Body Bearers to burial site.

Navy Chaplain leads the way to Section 33 burial site.

The Marines have a long-standing tradition of carrying the casket at shoulder height, which symbolizes the respect and honor given to the fallen. This practice reflects the Marine Corps' emphasis on discipline, precision, and ceremonial excellence.

“The Last to Let You Down.” They are the Body Bearers, an elite unit that carries Marines to their final resting place.

Navy Chaplain addresses the family and prays for this fallen hero.

Rifle Salute

TAPS

The thirteen folds of the flag

The folded flag is passed along to the awaiting officer for presentation to the family member.

"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."

A felt bag containing casings from the rifle salute are presented to the family

Mr. Kelly McKeague the Director of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) makes a presentation to the family.
On August 19, 2019, the DPAA identified the remains of 1LT Mills, and his family received "The Call" from the Marines. To identify his remains, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis matching his niece. Additionally, DPAA scientists used anthropological analysis, as well as circumstantial and material evidence.

Niece Janet A. Cook places a small flag on the casket of her Uncle 1LT Justin Green Mills

In late June of 2016, Jennifer Morrison, independent volunteer forensic genealogist, found the family of 1LT Mills and put them in contact with the Marine Corps POW/MIA (Repatriation) Section. This (re)established lines of communication with Buddy's family regarding the ongoing recovery and repatriation efforts, and offered Janet Anderson Cook the opportunity to provide the Family Reference DNA Sample ultimately necessary for her Uncle Buddy's identification.

Memento presented to family by DPAA director Kelly McKeague

SILVER STAR CITATION
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant Justin G. Mills (MCSN: 0-11121), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity during action against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands Area on November 3, 1942. Commanding a platoon of Company C, First Battalion, Second Marines Reinforced, in an attack against heavy hostile resistance along the beach on the right side of the zone of action, Second Lieutenant Mills, when his platoon encountered vigorous opposition, courageously pushed forward in the face of machine gun, mortar and point-blank 37-mm gunfire. Although his platoon suffered heavy casualties, he succeeded in capturing and holding his objective. His heroic devotion to duty, maintained at great risk in the face of grave danger, was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Arlington National Cemetery Section 33 Burial site, Marker #8717.

The Battle of Tarawa occurred from 20 November 1943 and ended on 23 November 1943. In the battle, over 1000 Marines and sailors were “Killed in Action” and over 2000 were injured.

In 2014, the History Flight discovered a grave on Beto Island with the remains of several Marines. They were sent to the lab and with the help of DNA from his niece Janet A. Cook and other medical tests, First Lieutenant Mills was positively identified on 9 August 2019.