PHOTO GALLERY: U.S. Marine Pfc. Joseph Robert Livermore comes home
Seventy-six years after he was killed in action on a little-known island in the Pacific during World War II, the remains of U.S. Marine Pfc. Joseph Robert Livermore arrived in Bakersfield by motorcade Thursday as hundreds of residents lined the streets and gathered on freeway bridges to welcome him home.
Fellow U.S. Marines carry the remains of Pfc. Joseph Robert Livermore to the Union Cemetery mausoleum Thursday as the Patriot Guard Riders stand at attention. Livermore was fatally wounded by an enemy's bayonet during the Battle of Tarawa in 1943.
Retired U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer Ricardo Ybarra honors the remains of U.S. Marine Pfc. Joseph Robert Livermore. Seventy-six years after Livermore was killed in combat, his remains came home to Bakersfield on Thursday. His service is scheduled at 10 a.m. Friday at Union Cemetery.
The remains of U.S. Marine Pfc. Joseph Robert Livermore are carried to the Union Cemetery mausoleum as the Patriot Guard Riders stand at attention.
Darrell Feliz, nephew to U.S. Marine Pfc. Joseph Robert Livermore, thanks supporters on behalf of his family at a press conference held Thursday at Union Cemetery in east Bakersfield.
East Bakersfield High School students and two Veterans of Foreign Wars members welcome home the remains of U.S. Marine Pfc. Joseph Robert Livermore as Livermore's procession passes his alma mater Thursday. The young Marine was killed in combat at the Battle of Tarawa in World War II. Livermore's remains had been missing for decades, but were positively identified earlier this year.
State Sen. Shannon Grove, R-Bakersfield, collects her thoughts before speaking about U.S. Marine Pfc. Joseph Robert Livermore at a press conference Thursday at Union Cemetery.
George Clerou tells a story Thursday at Union Cemetery about how his father and U.S. Marine Pfc. Joseph Robert Livermore served together in World War II.
The remains of U.S. Marine Private First Class Joseph Robert Livermore arrive by motorcade in Bakersfield on Thursday. After World War II, when the remains of servicemen were brought home from the Battle of Tarawa, Livermore was not among them. The location of his remains would stay a mystery for decades until efforts by the nongovernmental organization History Flight located a burial site.
Members of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 97 wait on the White Lane bridge over Highway 99 Thursday to welcome home the remains of U.S. Marine Pfc. Joseph Robert Livermore. The young Marine was killed in combat at the Battle of Tarawa in World War II. On July 30, after more than 75 years of uncertainty, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency identified Livermore's remains. He'd been lost, but now he was found.
Brad Cross, his dog Max and members of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 97 wait on the White Lane bridge over Highway 99 Thursday morning to welcome home the remains of U.S. Marine Joseph Robert Livermore The East High alumnus was killed in combat in the Battle of Tarawa during World War II.
Members of the Patriot Guard Riders pass East Bakersfield High School as they escort the remains of U.S. Marine Pfc. Joseph Robert Livermore during a procession that ended at Union Cemetery on Thursday.
The remains of U.S. Marine Private First Class Joseph Robert Livermore arrive in Bakersfield Thursday escorted by the California Highway Patreol and the Patriot Riders. The young Marine was killed in combat at the Battle of Tarawa in World War II. He had been missing in action for 76 years.
East Bakersfield High School students gathered Thursday morning to commemorate the homecoming of EBHS alumnus turned U.S. Marine Joseph Robert Livermore as his motorcade passes his alma mater. The young Marine was fatally wounded by an enemy's bayonet on Nov. 22, 1943.
A bag piper leads a procession to a private burial service for U.S. Marine Pfc. Joseph Robert Livermore at Union Cemetery on Friday morning. Livermore was laid to rest beside his mother, Dorothy Livermore.
Following a public ceremony attended by hundreds of local residents, family members walk to a private burial service for U.S. Marine Pfc. Joseph Robert Livermore held at Union Cemetery Friday morning.
Bakersfield Chief of Police Lyle Martin spoke at the funeral service of U.S. Marine Joseph Robert Livermore at Union Cemetery Friday morning.
Darrell Feliz spoke at U.S. Marine Pfc. Joseph Robert Livermore's funeral service Friday morning at Union Cemetery in east Bakersfield. Feliz, the 67-year-old nephew of Livermore, thanked everyone who contributed to his uncle's welcome home.
Retired U.S. Marine Dick Taylor gave the eulogy for Pfc. Joseph Robert Livermore — 1922-1943 — for hundreds gathered for Livermore's funeral service at Union Cemetery on Friday morning.
The family of Pfc. Joseph Robert Livermore greets well wishers after the public portion of the funeral service held Friday at Union Cemetery.
A bag piper leads a procession to a private burial service for Pfc. Joseph Robert Livermore at Union Cemetery on Friday morning. On Nov. 22, 1943, the young Marine was fatally wounded by an enemy's bayonet in the Battle of Tarawa, a battle known as "one square mile of hell." He was buried on the island, along with nearly 1,000 other Marines.
Hundreds gather for the funeral service of U.S. Marine Pfc. Joseph Robert Livermore at Union Cemetery on Friday morning. Livermore was killed in the Battle of Tarawa in 1943. After World War II, when the remains of servicemen were brought home, Livermore was not among them. The location of his remains would not be found for more than seven decades. They were identified in July 30.
Officiant State Sen. Shannon Grove greets a well wisher following the public portion of U.S. Marine Pfc. Joseph Robert Livermore's funeral service held Friday at Union Cemetery.
The dog tags of United States Marine Pfc. Joseph Robert Livermore were displayed at his funeral at Union Cemetery. The silver-plated tags signifies he was missing in action. The gold tags mean he has been found.
Kern County Sheriff Donny Youngblood spoke at U.S. Marine Pfc. Joseph Robert Livermore's funeral service held Friday at Union Cemetery in east Bakersfield. Youngblood lauded the people of Kern County for the respect and gratitude shown to Livermore and all those who have served in the armed forces. "Thank God we live in Kern County," he said. "From Bakersfield to Ridgecrest, the most patriotic place in the country."
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