Sergeant Harold Hammett returns to Mississippi

The remains of a Mississippi marine who died in World War II headed to Hattiesburg for burial.

Marine Gunnery Sergeant Gus Campbell shared pictures showing crews at New Orleans International Airport paying respects to Sergeant Harold Hammett.

Sergeant Hammett will be buried in Hattiesburg on February 16.

His remains were positively identified last September and announced earlier this month as his family was fully briefed.

Sergeant Hammett died on November 20, 1943 as his unit was fighting on the Gilbert Islands and his body was initially declared non-recoverable.

In 2017, his remains were reanalyzed using DNA technology, leading to the discovery of his identity.