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US Marines unearthed on Kiribati

About 1,696 US marines died in the 3-day Battle of Tarawa in the Second World War and many of their bodies were declared unrecoverable. But one family kept up the search and seven decades later the body of First Lieutenant Bonnyman was rediscovered, along with his shiny gold teeth.

First Lieutenant Alexander Bonnyman. Photo supplied by Clay Bonnyman Evans

Landing at Tarawa.

Bodies lie on the beaches of Tarawa. Image via US National Archives.

First Lieutenant Alexander Bonnyman was awarded the Medal of Honour posthumously. Photo supplied by Clay Bonnyman Evans

Lt. Bonnyman. Photo supplied by Clay Bonnyman Evans.

The family of First Lieutenant Alexander Bonnyman with his Medal of Honour. Photo supplied by Clay Bonnyman Evans.

Archaeologist Kristen Baker brushes sand away from Lt Bonnyman. Photo Clay Bonnyman Evans

Lieutenant Bonnyman's grandson Clay Bonnyman Evans.

Tarawa had 37 cemeteries. This was the largest. Image via US National Archives.

Lead archaeologist Kristen N. Baker, left, and former U.S. Army Special Forces medic John Frye, right, lead a team of local workers and History Flight volunteers on Betio. Photo Clay Bonnyman Evans.

US Marines storm Tarawa in 1943.

A sign put up by the marines on Tarawa.

The images in this gallery are used with permission and are subject to copyright conditions.