Remains of WWII Marine being returned to New York for burial

Published August 26, 2016

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.

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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This story has been changed to correct the day to Friday instead of Thursday.

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