A wonderful and very powerful story about a grandson looking for answers to the remains of his grandfather who fought with so many others on an Island named Tarawa. The battle itself was horrific and does not get talked about very much. Here though you see a man searching and also being denied by the powers to be so he is still fighting. He does prevail which makes this book all the reason to read it along with the end where other remains were found and identified. A list of the men are named at the back of the book. An excellent book and one that I will read again it feels like it just needs to be read again.

A very moving and real insight into history at it's finest. This is well worth a read. You'll be glad you decided to take a chance on this book.

This was a wonderful heartwarming story about a grandson's perseverance in bringing his grandfather's remains home and finding the true story of how his grandfather lost his life in the Battle of Tarawa. The story is well told and shows intricate detail without going overboard. I was very happy to see the afterword which documented other remains that had been found.

A Medal of Honor recipient’s body disappears on Tarawa and his family is told he was buried at sea, in a certain cemetery on the island, and lost forever. Take your pick.
Alexander Bonnyman Jr. joined the Marines despite being married, a father of three, and owner of a business critical to the war effort. He was restless for adventure and the war offered plenty of adventure. He died on Tarawa on November 23, 1943.
The story of his mortal remains does not inspire confidence in JPAC, the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command. Their mission is to account for Americans missing in past wars. They were happy to use reports made by Mark Noah of History Flight, but refused him to travel to the island because they didn’t want him to take credit. Personnel at the National Personnel Records Center didn’t know to look for his records in the special Persons of Exceptional Prominence archive, as befitting a Medal of Honor winner.
What is inspiring is the story of those like Mark Noah who refuse to give up on locating those who gave their all for their country.

This is a phenomenal book. It's a mystery, a lost and found, a war story, and much more, all told by a loving grandson in search of his grandfather and his family. I will probably read this one again.