NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — A Tennessee Marine killed in WWII will be laid to rest in his home state 75 years after his death.
Corps Private First Class William Franklin (Frank) Cavin of Hancock County, who was killed in the Battle of Tarawa on November 20, 1943.
Cavin was only 18 years old when he was killed, alongside 1,000 other Marines and sailors in the battle with the Japanese.
“The Battle of Tarawa is more than a legendary piece of World War II history,” Department of Veterans Services Commissioner Many-Bears Grinder said. “The pain of those lost, still lives with us today. However, Frank Cavin will no longer lie under a headstone marked Tarawa Unknown X-032. This hero will be laid to rest with full honors, under a headstone with his name, among his family.”
Until recently, Cavin's remains were buried under a headstone marked "Tarawa Unknown X-032" at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.
Calvin's remain were positively identified in April and he will finally be coming home.
“Frank was not even 17-years old when he enlisted in the Marine Corps to serve his country,” Gov. Bill Haslam said. “This native Tennessean was clearly born with the Volunteer Spirit and we are proud to welcome him home.”
A funeral is planned for Saturday at the Overton Cemetery in Sneedville. Halsam has declared Saturday as an official day of mourning to honor Calvin's ultimate sacrifice.