Remains Of WWII Marine Found On Island To Arrive In Florida
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BUSHNELL, Fla. (CBSMiami/AP) — Remains of a World War II U.S. Marine, recovered from a Pacific Island, will be buried in Florida near the grave of his twin brother.
A coffin containing the remains of New York City native Pfc. James P. Reilly is scheduled to arrive aboard a commercial flight at Tampa International Airport at 10:30 a.m. Saturday. A Marine Corps honor guard will transfer the coffin to a hearse that will take it to Purcell Funeral Home in Bushnell in Sumter County.
Patriot Guard motorcycle riders will escort the funeral procession to nearby Florida National Cemetery for Monday's 10 a.m. services.
Reilly was killed during the battle of Tarawa. He was buried with 35 other Marines in a grave discovered earlier this year.
His brother Michael survived the battle. The retired NYPD detective died in Florida in 2005.
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