Kim Schrier: “I would like to share the story of Gunnery Sergeant Arthur Branson Summers, a U.S. marine killed in action in World War…”

“I would like to share the story of Gunnery Sergeant Arthur Branson Summers, a U.S. marine killed in action in World War II. After 76 years, his body has returned home to his family members and has been laid to rest in East Wenatchee, Washington. Gunnery Sergeant Summers of Company I, 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, was killed in the winter of 1943 in the Betio Island battle with Japanese forces. Sadly, Summers was 1 of 1,000 servicemembers who died that day and 1 of almost 500 whose remains were never found. Tragically for his family, friends, and loved ones, they were deemed nonrecoverable in 1949. But this changed in 2009 thanks to the tireless work of the nonprofit organization History Flight. After a small piece of military rain poncho was found near the site, History Flight began excavations in 2009 and discovered the body of Gunnery Sergeant Summers along with several other lost servicemembers. His remains were brought home to his family, nephews David and Donald McCannel. He received an honorable burial in East Wenatchee, Washington. Gunnery Sergeant Arthur Branson Summers answered our Nation's call at a time of great need, and for his service, valor, and sacrifice, we are forever thankful. I would like to recognize History Flight for their work to return Summers to his home and to thank David and Donald McCannel and their families for providing Gunnery Sergeant Summers an honorable burial on American soil.…”