70 years later, a United States Marine has finally made his way back home and to his final resting place in Florence, South Carolina.
Sgt. John Charlton Holladay was killed by a Japanese sniper in 1943 and his temporary grave would be destroyed by bombing runs, according to WMBF.
Workers in the Soloman Islands discovered his remains and a DNA test was used to identify the servicemember.
Holliday’s family was there to receive his remains at the Charleston International Airport.
“A year or so ago, when this process started, you know you kind of think that it’s not going to pan out. He turns out that he was the guy that our family always told us he was,” said Charles Holladay, Holladay’s nephew.
It was a bittersweet moment for the family, burying their Marine after 73 years.
“A little sadness in that a lot of folks for whom this would be the best closure due to the passage of time are no longer with us, but otherwise it has been quite exciting,” Holladay mentioned.
