Florida National Cemetery

It took a while but you're finally home. Thank you for your service form a grateful nation. RIP Marine! ??

“His Lord said to him, Well done, you good and faithful servant…” Matthew 25:21.
 PFC Robert Leroy Zehetner was originally reported as Missing in Action on 20 November 1943 on Tarawa.  On 24 March 2012, Chief Rick Stone, while a member of the Department of Defense (DoD), submitted an official investigative report that identified PFC Zehetner as a possible match to "Unknown X-79", buried in the Punchbowl Cemetery in Honolulu in 1947.  The Chief Rick Stone and Family Charitable Foundation researchers, using advanced law enforcement investigative techniques and sophisticated technologies not available to the government or their contractors, continued to investigate PFC Zehetner’s case and confirmed that PFC Zehetner was a Punchbowl "Unknown".  After almost five years, the Department of Defense finally decided to act on Chief Stone's recommendations for disinterment and identification of all of the Tarawa Punchbowl "Unknowns".  On 31 July 2018, PFC Zehetner was officially announced by the DoD as “Unknown X-79”.  Welcome home Marine!  We share the joy of your family in your return!  God Bless you and thanks to ALL who never forgot you and your service to our country!

I am glad you finally made it home. You died a hero.

Thanks for your service and your sacrifice, PFC Robert L. Zehetner. Like so many young men at war, you gave your all. May your sacrifice be remembered by our grateful nation. Rest In Peace, Brave Marine.

ROBERT LEROY ZEHETNER

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