Remains of Nevada Marine killed in WWII to be reburied in Hawaii

Members of the Hawaii honor guard stand at attention on the steps of the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl crater before an early morning ceremony for Memorial Day in Honolulu, Monday, May 29, 2006. The statue is of "Lady Columbia," and looks out over the 116-acre crater filled with graves. In ancient times this crater was known as the "Hill of Sacrifice." (AP Photo/Lucy Pemoni)

Military officials say a U.S. Marine from Nevada who was killed in action in the Pacific Ocean battle of Tarawa in World War II will be buried in Hawaii next week with military honors.

The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency says the remains of Pvt. John M. Tillman of Reno will be returned to his family for burial on April 6 in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu.

Tillman was 21 when he died during fighting against Japanese troops on the small island of Betio in November 1943. He was assigned to Company F, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division.

He was one of about 1,000 U.S. Marines and sailors and thousands of Japanese and Korean service members who died in the battle. Most from the U.S. were initially buried on the island.

Tillman’s remains were accounted for in September.