Remains of WWII Marine being returned to New York for burial
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The remains of a U.S. Marine from New York are being returned for burial in his upstate hometown more than 70 years after he died during a Pacific island battle.
A flight scheduled to arrive Friday morning at Albany International Airport is carrying the remains of 25-year-old Pfc. George Traver of Chatham in Columbia County.
Traver was among the first waves of Marines to land on the Japanese-held atoll of Tarawa on Nov. 20, 1943. His remains were among those of scores of fallen Marines that weren't recovered after the battle.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Nearly three dozen remains, including Traver's, were uncovered last year by the Florida-based group History Flight. The Pentagon recently announced Traver's remains had been identified and were being returned home for burial.
His military funeral is Sunday in Chatham.
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{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}This story has been changed to correct the day to Friday instead of Thursday.