World War II veteran laid to rest nearly eight decades later

Private First Class Marine Thomas F.

Johnson, laid to rest in Igo at the Northern California Veterans Cemetary.

His remains were discovered last year, 77 years after he died in battle retrieving ammo for his battalion.

A fallen world war 2 marine is finally laid to rest after excavators discovered his remains last year.

Action news now reporter esteban reynoso went to the burial, he shows us what this means to the community.

A service 77 years in the making, thomas frank johnson, a fallen marine from world war 2 was finally laid to rest here at the northern california veterans cemetery in igo.

Nat bag pip* "it means he's finally home.

He's resting comfortably now."

"just being here in the redding area and doing this has been such an honor, and so, so blessed for it."

"lay this veteran to rest, but to also bring him home."

Johnson and his family were escorted from sacramento to igo, an escort fred loveland was a part of.

"we need to bring them all home, it's such an emotional day, and this has been an emotional week it was just emotional."

But before johnson was buried, his remains were missing for 77 years in the south pacific.

"the area that we actually found thomas in, he was underneath a house that was built in the 50's.

It had a concrete slab foundation not many buildings on tarawa do.

He was actually protected."

And for windish, everyday is a reminder of all thee others still missing.

"his pictures along with other marines that are missing in our repository everyday at work, you go into work, you see their picture, and then coming through and meeting the family, seeing their appreciation, it's priceless."

Army veteran mark george also has brothers who served, so this service is special to him.

"i'm the youngest, and he's the youngest out of the three brothers so, it defininelty stirred some emoton is me."

"i think that goes with all branches of the service, leave no one behind."

Now the family did deny an interview today but they told me that thomas's brother kenneth also lays here and that they're happy that both of them are finally together again, 77 years later.

In igo, esteban reynoso for action news now, coverage you can count on.

Hugh -- thomas's other brother -- died just one day before him on the same island in 1943.

Excavators continue to look for his remains.