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News & Stories
News | April 21, 2017

Marine Missing From World War II Accounted For (Bussa)

Marine Corps 2nd Lt. George S. Bussa has now been accounted for.



In November 1943, Bussa was assigned to Company F, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, 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. Bussa died sometime on the first day of battle, Nov.
20, 1943.



The remains were turned over to DPAA on June 24, 2016.



Laboratory analysis was used in the identification of his remains.



DPAA is appreciative to History Flight, Inc., for their assistance in this
identification.



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Public Affairs Contact Information


Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency PAO
Washington, D.C.
2300 Defense Pentagon
Attn: Outreach and Communications
Washington, D.C. 20301-2300
Email: dpaa.ncr.oc.mbx.public-affairs@mail.mil