Marine Corps Cpl. John V. McNichol, 20, of Altoona,

Marine Corps Cpl. John V. McNichol, 20, of Altoona, Pennsylvania, accounted for on Sept. 25, 2017, was buried May 14, in Arlington National Cemetery, near Washington, D.C. In November 1943, McNichol was assigned to Company E, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force, which landed against stiff Japanese resistance on the small island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll of the Gilbert Islands, in an attempt to secure the island. Over several days of intense fighting at Tarawa, approximately 1,000 Marines and Sailors were killed and more than 2,000 were wounded, but the Japanese were virtually annihilated. McNichol died on the second day of the battle, Nov. 21, 1943. He was recently identified through scientific analysis and returned to his family for burial with full military honors. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Kristen Duus, DPAA)