The family of Pfc Joseph R. Livermore and the US Marine Corps have invited the Patriot Guard Riders to attend the arrival of this Hero as he returns to his family and his funeral, we would be honored to do so.
In November 1943, Livermore was a member of Company B, 1st Battalion, 6th 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, while the Japanese were virtually annihilated. Livermore was killed around the third day of the battle, Nov. 22, 1943.
He was reported to have been buried in the East Division Cemetery, which was eventually renamed to Cemetery #33. In 1946, the 604th Quartermaster Graves Registration Company (604th GRC) centralized all of the American remains found on Tarawa to Lone Palm Cemetery for later repatriation; however, almost half of the known casualties were never found. No recovered remains could be identified as Livermore, and in October 1949, a Board of Review declared him “non-recoverable.”
In 2009, History Flight, Inc., a nonprofit organization, notified DPAA that they discovered a burial site on Betio Island and recovered the remains of what they believed to be missing American service members who had been buried in Cemetery #33. In March 2019, following continued excavations, a previously undiscovered burial trench was uncovered. The remains were accessioned into the DPAA laboratory.
Pfc Livermore has now been indentified by the DPAA and is being returned home for burial.
NOTE: This mission posting is to facilitate your voluntary participation in honoring this American hero. For those interested, and all are welcome, we will be accompanying him and his family from the airport to Frazier Park, a distance of approx 75 miles . Please see the time table if you would like to participate. For those who would rather go directly to Staging #2 we will meet you there.
Time table for Thursday, 14 NOV 19:Staging #1 0530 - Stage at Bob Hope USO, LAX Theme Building (
https://goo.gl/maps/5qYHgMhetzz) on the arrivals level. Park in the loading dock area that is on the West side of the building. The USO entrance is located on the South side of the building.
0545 - Mission briefing
0615 - KSU to departure point
0645 - KSU to Flying J Travel Plaza, 42810 Frazier Mountain Rd., Lebec, CA 93243 (approx 75 miles)
https://goo.gl/maps/PNcie8vUdB32 0815 - Est arrival at Flying J
R/C Craig (Gunny) Donor
GySgt USMC (ret)
California State Captain
Patriot Guard RidersCell 909 208 7703
pgrgunny-001@yahoo.com
Member since 31 May 2006
PGR # 36750
Dream like you will live forever.
Live like there is no tomorrow.
When the world calls 911
The American Military answers the call.
Staging #20630 – Stage - Chevron Station Hwy 99 and 119, Taft Hwy Bakersfield Ca, 93313
https://goo.gl/maps/7QmrwRDkAXjH7skJ80700 – KSU to Flying J Travel Plaza, 42810 Frazier Mountain Rd. , Lebec, CA 93243 (approx 40 Miles)
https://goo.gl/maps/PNcie8vUdB320745 – Est Arrival Flying J
0750 – Flag Line for arrival of procession
R/C Larry Gillette
PGR SoCal Regional Ride Captainlarry@pgrbakersfield.org
661-978-1559 cell
This mission involves an aircraft arrival. Arrival times can change at the last minute so please check this thread for any last minute changes
before leaving.
You do not have to be a Veteran or a motorcycle rider to attend this mission. Everyone is welcome. We encourage those who do not ride to attend in your car. If this will be your first mission go to the initial staging area and you will be briefed there by the R/C (Ride Captain). Dress for motorcycle riding or dress casually if you are driving a cage (car). Please feel free to attend any portion of this mission you can. Please ride/drive safely.
