BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — A marine who served in World War II who has been missing in action for more than 76 years has now returned home to Bakersfield and were finally laid to rest.

Private first class Joseph Robert Livermore of Bakersfield was honored with a special burial service with full military honors Friday.

He was buried next to his mother at Union Cemetery.On November 22, 1943, private Livermore lost his life to an enemy bayonet.

Since then, the World War II Marine was listed as missing in action until the discovery of a mass grave this past March.
Following that discovery, remains were identified as those belonging to private Livermore.

State senate republican leader Shannon Grove then helped through various efforts and fundraisers to bring those remains home to Kern County.

Livermore arrived in California yesterday and returned to Bakersfield with a procession that stopped by his former high school, East High.