WJAX: ALBANY, N.Y. — Growing up in New York City, twins Michael and James Reilly did everything together. After the U.S. entered World War II, they enlisted in the Marines on the same day. When the leathernecks landed at Tarawa, the brothers were in the same assault wave.
Michael survived, but his brother was killed just feet away from his sibling. Jimmy was buried nearby in a grave that was long overlooked. Now, more than 70 years later, Jimmy will be reburied near Michael in a Florida veterans’ cemetery.
The Pentagon announced Monday that the remains of Pfc. James P. Reilly had been identified and will be buried next week at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell. James Reilly’s remains were among those of 36 American servicemen found earlier this year buried on the Pacific island of Betio, part of the Tarawa atoll in the Republic of Kiribati.
The 20-year-old from Queens was among the more than 500 Marines and sailors listed as missing in action after the three-day battle that began Nov. 20, 1943. About 1,000 Marines were killed and more than 2,000 were wounded. more
.. “welcome home”
such a handsome young man. only 20.
my uncle died in palau september 1944. the pacific battles were devastating for so many families.
I listened to a radio interview a couple of days ago….with Mike Rosen from KOA radio in Denver.
He interviewed Adam Makos …the author of a new book called ‘Devotion’….it’s the story of two men….one black, one white…..wingmen in the forgotten Korean war…and all of their struggles with race. The black guy got shot down, the white guy purposely crash landed his plane to help save him….on a lonely mountainside….in N. Korea. True Devotion for/his ‘brother’
Yes…..I know war in necessary and sometimes the only answer. But, what hurts it’s is the best men that die….while the FSA, ferals, and the worst of mankind continue to procreate
Forgive my ignorance, but what is that award cross on his chest? I’ve searched numerous resources and can’t find it. Thanks.
Ack, as soon as I posted I found it.
Navy Good Conduct medal.
The award cross is the Marine Corps Sharpshooter.
Thank you Marine, welcome home, shame you wouldn’t recognize it.
Thanks, RB, you are correct.
Ooh-Rah!!!
God love you Jimmy Reilly. But square that headgear away, Marine!
Back in the day I was stationed in Guam working a night shift. I got a call that they wanted available GIs to meet across the street at the air terminal on base for a repatriation ceremony. I was honored to go and had goosebumps as I watched them escort a small metal box off a plane (containing remains of a US service-member who had died in Vietnam).
Apparently they did this as Guam–a US territory–was the official return to US soil.
The service wasn’t long, and they were on their way to Hawaii for identification of the remains.
I was fortunate enough to attend another one a few weeks later, and I must admit to this day it was one of the most humbling things I ever did in during my years in the Air Force.
The left one is a “Sharpshooter” badge, most likely for rifle range proficiency. The one on the right is unclear. I will speculate an award for shooting proficiency with the rectangular bars stipulating perhaps pistol, grenade, machine gun, etc.