Dignified Transfer of 1st Lt Justin Green Mills U.S.M.C. MIA Betio, Tarawa KIA | November 20, 1943

1st Lt Justin Green Mills was welcomed home by his niece Janet A. Cook.
1st Lt Justin Green 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. Mills, one of the original trail drivers of Texas. To his fellow Marines, he was known as “Tex”.
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.
On 3 November 1942, as a Platoon Leader, he encountered vigorous opposition from the Japanese Army but pushed forward in the face of machine gun, mortar and point-blank 37 mm gunfire. He succeeded in capturing and holding his objective in the Solomons Islands. He was then promoted to First Lieutenant and was awarded the Silver Star.
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 Janette and other medical tests, First Lieutenant Mills was positively identified on 9 August 2019.
First Lieutenant Mills will be buried on May 26, 2021 in Arlington National Cemetery with Full Military Honors.

[@dejavu666wampas9]

Semper Fidelis, my fellow Marine. Thank you for standing your watch for your country.

[@Ann-kw1pn]

Thank you for the honor and dignity of this video.This young man mattered.

[@kensmomkm]

Thank you for documenting this moving ceremony.

[@gregsayre4700]

Welcome home Brother

[@JarheadSixRides]

Welcome home brother! SF!

[@turtlebarnessr0248]

Thank you sir for your service and sacrifice. You will always be remembered. HM2 CVS11

[@johnmckeon2066]

The gates of heaven are truly well guarded. Thank you for my freedom. Semper Fi!

[@robertnorman6443]

Always brings me to tears 😭 when i see these videos Thank you for your service and sacrifice may you rest in eternal peace 🕊️😢🇦🇺🇺🇲

[@andrewwebb-trezzi2422]

Welcome home. Thank you for your sacrifice. May god have mercy on your soul.

[@quicksilver-pk3nc]

I can't imagine what this mother and father are going through. I'm so appreciative of this soldier's sacrifice and the only thought I'm left with is how I can do better and make a difference in this world, and to appreciate my freedom more than when I woke up this morning.

[@stephenprice8005]

Welcome home Brother,

[@chiefrickstoneandfamilycha9215]

“His Lord said to him, Well done, you good and faithful servant…” Matthew 25:21. 1st Lieutenant Justin Green Mills was reported as Killed in Action on 20 November 1943 on Tarawa by a gunshot wound to the head. In 2011/2012, Chief Rick Stone, while a member of the Department of Defense, investigated all of the unresolved Tarawa casualties buried in the Punchbowl Cemetery and determined that LT Mills was a “Most Likely Match” to only two “Unknowns.” LT Mills’ family contacted the Chief Rick Stone and Family Charitable Foundation and requested a “Family Report” on his case, which was immediately completed and sent on 20 March 2017. Researchers determined that LT Mills was likely originally buried in Grave 49, Row 2, Cemetery 26 on Tarawa. Foundation researchers continued to investigate LT Mills’ case and confirmed his status as a match to two “Unknowns” recovered by American Graves Registration Service (AGRS) from Cemetery 26 in 1946. The area around Cemetery 26 was re-dug in 2014 and some bones that were left behind by AGRS personnel in 1946 were recovered and later identified by the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory as associated with LT Mills DNA. LT Mills’ official identification as an original burial in Cemetery 26 was announced on 26 September 2019. The identification of LT Mills from one of the Punchbowl “Unknowns” awaits action. Welcome home Marine! We share the joy of your family in your return for honored repose in Louisiana! God Bless you and thanks to ALL who never forgot you and your service to our country!

[@gloriaottoway7901]

Beautiful, video

[@jaredperdue9674]

Thank you marine

[@dianealbrecht496]

Welcome home. Thank you for your service. May you rest in eternal peace. I know you are with God.

[@mariorodrigues5796]

Minhas Continências Guerreiro Descanse na Paz 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@mariateresalopezcapella1652]

😢

[@user-yw6cm4mv8v]

Gods speed

[@marialoera7206]

Rip 🙏🙏🙏

[@turtlecovetackle5522]

Semper Fi

[@jg2072]

I'm happy to see that Homeland Security, TSA seems to have an honor guard for this.

[@TGS556]

TSA at BWI has rendered honors at more than 150 Dignified Transfers. The police officer (gray uniform) who greets the remains as they arrive retired recently ... and returned as a volunteer with the USO. He coordinates everything, greets and stays with the families, and arranges for police, fire, and other first responders to render honors all the way from the airport to the funeral home.

[@Владимр-ъ3м]

Нет Войны... 😢😢😢