WESTFIELD (AP) — A Marine killed in World War II is being buried in his hometown 71 years after he died in the Pacific battle of Tarawa.
Capt. Richard Vincent’s remains arrived yesterday at Bradley airport. Vincent had been reported killed in action, but his remains weren’t identified until last October.
His coffin was escorted to Westfield by Marines from Westover Air Force Base, Massachusetts state police and local military veterans. Military Order of the Purple Heart commander Brian Willette says Vincent’s sacrifice “is as fresh today as any loss.”
Vincent has no local survivors. Relatives from around the country will attend his service today at the Firtion-Adams funeral home.
He will be buried alongside his parents in a cemetery plot they bought after his death.
