HATTIESBURG, Miss. (WHLT) – After more than eight decades, a World War II Marine from Hattiesburg has been laid to rest.

The remains of Marine Corps Sgt. Harold Hammett were buried at Roseland Park Cemetery in Hattiesburg next to his parents on Friday.

Hundreds of residents, veterans and active military attended the graveyard service to pay their respects to Hammett.

Hammett was killed during the Battle of Tarawa on November 20, 1943. His remains were recently identified through advanced DNA testing.

Hammett’s niece and nephew said their family finally has some sense of peace.

“We didn’t know where he was or what happened to him. They said that he was buried on that island, Tarawa, and they dug up all those bodies years later and took him to Hawaii. So, we never did know what happened until recently,” said Helen Howell, Hammett’s niece.

“The family is happy that he’s home. And I know that all the family members that have passed are happy. And I’m sure they are dancing today as we do a memorial for my Uncle Harold. And we’re glad for him to be home and be back in his hometown. And we appreciate everybody that did all this to put this together,” said Dwayne Williams, Hammett’s nephew.

Gov. Tate Reeves (R-Miss.) declared Friday as a day of mourning in honor of Hammett.