Dignified Transfer of Cpl Thomas Harley Cooper U.S.M.C. MIA | Betio, Tarawa KIA | Nov. 20 1943

Yesterday at BWI Airport American flight #2314 brought home Corporal Thomas Harley Cooper of the United States Marine Corps, Active Duty who 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. Corporal Cooper was 22 years old and from Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Corporal Cooper was assigned to Able Company, 2nd Amphibian Tractor Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force.
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.
Corporal Cooper enlisted in the Marine Corps on 18 September 1940 and was promoted to Corporal in January 1942. In 1943 he was married and 4 months after he was “Killed in Action” his daughter was born in March 1944.
On the tarmac to welcome Corporal Cooper home is his daughter Virginia who will be able to embrace her father for the first time. Joining her are her family members, fellow Marines and the BWI Airport family.
With advances in DNA technology, in 2016 medical test were performed and with other records on 9 August 2019 the remains were identified as Corporal Cooper.
Corporal Cooper will be buried on Thursday March 10th in Arlington National Cemetery with Full Military Honors.
We thank Corporal Cooper for his faithful service and dedication to our country. Semper Fidelis. Honors will be conducted as the Dignified Transfer occurs from the plane to the hearse.
Please join us in Honoring Corporal Thomas Harley Cooper by placing your hand over your heart as he is carried by the Marine Corps Honor Guard from the plane to the hearse for his final journey home.
Music credits: Joe Kenney “Remedy”
Bring Him Home Les Miserables Authentic Orchestral Karaoke Instrumental