Arlington Full Honors Burial Pvt. William E. Rambo April 4, 2022 MIA Betio, Tarawa KIA Nov 20, 1943 

I am a retired British cop and serviceman. Years ago I attended a call where neighbours reported not seeing their neighbour for several days. I forced entry into his house and found him dead in the bathroom. After making sure there was nothing suspicious about his passing and seeing to his dignity, I began the routine enquiries of trying to locate his next of kin. Neighbours told me he had no family they knew of and a search of his house and personal belongings found no information. I did notice a lot of framed photographs and memorabilia that told me this man had served in the Royal Navy for decades. I contacted the Royal Naval Association. They instantly took care of everything from there on. An appeal for family was placed in the local press but none were traced. At his funeral, hundreds of serving and former service members from every service, Navy, Army, Airforce attended. He may have passed away alone but he was not alone when he was sent on his final journey. That's what it means to have served. You are never alone in death and you are never forgotten by your brothers and sisters in arms.

Civilians don't understand that young men go into battle scared, hungry, sweaty and with the knowledge they might not make it. Pvt. Rambo did what his country asked him to do while confronting his fears. He finally came home but not as he wanted. Semper Fi and may he RIP.

I’ve never seen respect and dignity delivered with such perfection. I’m British and no one does this like the US military. Not even us. It’s a marvel to watch. RIP Marine 🇺🇸

Although it was one of the saddest days of my life, I remember walking down that same road and being instantly filled with a sense of comfort, honor and peace seeing my grandfather, a Marine, an Officer, a Veteran who worked in the space program given full honors in such a beautiful way for his life of service. Our men and women in uniform at Arlington perform an invaluable service, and I thank them from the bottom of my heart for that day..

As a grandson of a Marine who fought in 'Nam and is buried in Arlington, i salute you, Fallen Marine. Your watch is done, Private Rambo. May you never be forgotten.

Leave None Behind. It took nearly 80 years, but he was found, and brought home. As Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen we know that if we fall, we will never be left behind. Rest Easy Marine. Welcome Home.

Thank you Pvt. Rambo for the freedoms I have today. Never forget how much we owe these men. R.I.P.

Thank you for posting this. I have had the honor to visit Arlington National Cemetery while on an Honor Flight. I also had the honor to be met at the gate by a member of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment who drove me to the site where my first C.O. was laid to rest. He was the best C.O. a new sailor could have to begin his career. He then drove to rejoin my group at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. I don't think anyone can ever visit Arlington without feeling a profound sense of the importance of the National Cemeteries that look over the final resting places of the men and women who served their country, and so many who made the ultimate sacrifice. My final honor will be to be laid to rest at sea with the millions of other sailors who already sleep in the depths.

I still remember my Dad's funeral in 1978. Although he had spent his life as an educator helping kids, he had been in WWII. A Staff Sgt, Omaha Beach, first wave, 741st Tank Battalion attached to the 1st Infantry Division, then the Hedgerow fighting, liberating St. Lo, first into Paris, and surrounded on the opening night of the Battle of the Bulge. I have all of his letters home to my mom. I have the flag the military folded and handed to my mom in the ceremony, just like this one. It's been in my closet for decades. I think I should bring it out onto a place of honor in the living room.

A Generation that will never be out done Rest Easy Rambo more gutts and heart then most these days. God Bless

Very moving. We made a point to visit Arlington Cemetery when my wife and I took our three teenage children to Washington DC as part of a family trip to the USA many years ago. Sincere respects and best wishes from a Brit on the other side of the pond.

Finally Home. Rest In His Arms Pvt Rambo. The line still holds. You are with your brothers.

Dear Pvt. Rambo and to his family. I dearly appreciate your sacrifice to our country. Thank you.

Pvt. William E. Rambo:: Thank you for your service and sacrifice. Our country is grateful❤

Viewing this from the Netherlands I am impressed by this ceremony showing respect to your fallen soldiers . I wish we would have this in our country .

While I have been to a few military funerals...one for one of my best friends since bootcamp and being stationed together to my own fathers service at Arlington...It is the most bone chilling experiance I have and will ever encounter! I am proud to be a Navy vet and the son of a Marine who served 2 tours in Vietnam! I do not wish this type of service for anyone. Very well done color guard! Semper Fi Marine.

As a former Dutch combat engineer I want to say that this was such a beautiful and respectful way to say goodbye to this warrior. May he rest in peace and may his family find the strength to carry on. I salute you.

Welcome home my marine brother, may you finally rest in peace amongst your fallen brothers. Semper Fi

My dad's was identical to this. It doesn't matter rank etc...they give them all the same respect .

The snap and grab the US Marines do with the rifle at Present Arms is extraordinary. I'm an Aussie living in the United States , I have family in the Military in both Countries. Forgive me . May God Bless William and may his memory be a blessing..

I’m glad to know he made it home at last. You don’t have to be family to appreciate someone. Thank you to you tube for letting us share these moments.

My father could’ve been buried at Arlington,awarded Silver Star WWII,instead he wanted to be buried next to his son,in our hometown,never knew he was awarded the Silver Star,never mentioned it,at his funeral,two surviving members of his detachment,told how he saved the lives of his brothers,my father was only 5’6” 150lbs.red hair and freckles,they said he was fearless in battle,the only thing he said about war was the bond you create with your brothers,my father was a very quiet man and a small man,but he cast a huge shadow.RIP father

I wish I had been born in this country. There is respect and honor in this place.

RIP Pvt Rambo. Thank you. My Grandfather is a Marine. Grandfather worked as a guard over the Anola Gay before it went to Japan. When Grandfather passed he was laid to rest in a small cemetary close to where he lived. He had the same send off.

What a service Pvt. Rambo has done for all of us.

what a tear jerker. It is so great to see the Marines honor a fallen hero from so long ago. This is why the US is such a great country.

Thank You PVT Rambo.for your service and sacrifice. You did so that my son and others like him could come home. Although they are never the same sons we sent to protect us, they are still the ones we love. God Bless you and your family.

I watched this with so much pride and sadness . But to see him finally get his chance to rest in peace , was very important . Thank you for your service . Much Respect to you Sir.

My father's was no where near this elaborate! So beautiful and respectful. My dad served in WW II and Korean.

No greater honor than to honor someone that gave the ultimate sacrifice. Thank you sir

Slaap jongen en liefs voor je familie uit Holland

It is also sad that very soon there will no longer be living veterans from WWII. Time is passing by very fast, but their memories and sacrifice will live on forever. We are here today because of them. My utmost admiration and respect for each of them.

if bag pipes ,taps and Amazing Grace don't tear you up.... thank you for your sacrifice and dervice to our country.

Thankful For Your Devotion and Service You Sir Are Home Now

This is the ultimate sign of respect. What’s really heart wrenching is the number of white crosses in the background. Gods speed Marine. Thank you for your service to our nation 🇺🇸.

My late hubby was a WO1 RAE. My eldest son is a WO2 RAE…….so bloody proud of both of them!

My brother died April 6th 2004 when he first went into falusia. He is in the presidio in San Francisco. It kills me to see anyone this God Bless and thank you for your service.

When we see the care given to this brave young Marine, who sacrificed everything to benefit us, it's vital that children of all ages attend military funerals and to see the grieving families, the process. I would suggest several times a year. It's vital to our nations future that they see and feel this. We thank Pvt. William E. Rambo for his service, the ultimate sacrifice. Our condolences to his family. May he rest in peace.

Rest in peace dear. You will be missed by a lot of people. Thank you for your service to our country.

Brother MARINE. Much LOVE and thank you for giving the ultimate. Your life in defense of a grateful nation. Semper FI. May GOD keep you at peace for eternity.

Thank you for your service

I was so impressed while watching this video. I had never seen an actual service. This young man sacrificed his life for our country and he is now at rest with his fellow service members.

Rest In Peace good sir, and thank you for your service.

Rambo, says it all. Thanks for your service, RIP

In December, 2016, Renae Olsen and I went to Oahu, Hawaii for the 75th Anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. I had been in the U.S. Navy during the 70's and am a Vietnam Veteran having served on USS Joseph Strauss DDG-16 during a couple of deployments during the Vietnam War. Strauss was homeported at Pearl Harbor. One of the events we went to was the Commemoration of the attack at the USS Oklahoma Memorial on Ford Island. Many of the earliest that DPAA identified were those that perished aboard USS Oklahoma. In July 2017, I attended the graveyard service for Elmer Tom Kerestes, Holdingford, MN. He was one of the earliest from USS Oklahoma that was identified through dna. I did not know him, but I had to go to his graveyard service. I literally walked in the footsteps of those that were lost on December 7, 1941.

Total respect. Royal Air Force Veteran.

Thank you for posting this video.

The USMC did the funeral for my grandfather, a USN captain. Most respectful, dignified sendoff ever.

My grandfather was a veteran from ww2 and he lived to be 81 so I know of the honor it is to have family In the service and it is an honor to watch these ty for their service and for the ones still living its an honor to know you are protecting us and being brave in such dire circumstances may God be with you all

This is just utterly amazin how an honored soldier is honored and remembered. Awesome!

How amazing the honoring of a fallen Angel! RIP and welcome home!

Sono Italiano, ed ho pianto vedendo una cerimonia che dimostra tutto il rispetto per un caduto in guerra.

This always brings tears to my eyes as I watch a fallen soldier be laid to rest...THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SACRIFICE AND DEDICATION TO OUR COUNTRY THAT WOULD NEVER BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT SOLDIERS LIKE YOU....GOD BLESS AND GOD SPEED Pvt. RAMBO

Ive walked those silent rows of marble expecting to feel the weight of americas dearest treasure below me, only to feel a lightness in my step. Not of my own accord but like a voice of those around me saying "enjoy the sun on your face and breath free air, honor us by living well before you too are called to rest". To those of us who have gone before us, Semper Fidelis.

My dad was a B-17 pilot during WW II and was shot down over Germany on July 26, 1943 and became a POW for the rest of the war. My dad stayed in the Air Force and flew B-47's and B-52's during the Cold War. One of my uncles was a double ace fighter pilot in he Korean War and retired as a Major General. He died at age 91 while playing golf. I have another uncle who was in the Green Berets in Vietnam and severely wounded. I have another uncle who was a pilot in F-106 interceptors during he Cold War and retired as a LtCol in the Air Force. My grandfather was a medical officer and was the senior medical officer on Eisenhower's staff during WW II. My brother was a Marine in Vietnam for more than 2 years and was severely wound such that they didn't think he would survive. I was a Marine platoon commander in Vietnam and served 21 years in the Marines with 2 additional years in combat. Thank God none of our family were killed in combat. But my dad lost 5 of his crew on his B-17, my uncle lost pilots in his squadron, my other uncle lost Green Berets in his unit, my mother was evacuated from the Philippines (where her father was stationed) after the attack on Pearl harbor. My family knows what sacrifice for our country is all about over generations. I now that Marines in battle are a band of brothers and that each Marine killed is a loss of our family. The burial of Pvt William E. Rambo killed on Tarawa in 1943 is the same feeling as if I lost one of my brothers. If you have never been in intense combat then you have no idea what I'm talking about. That's why they call combat a band of brothers regardless of what service you are in at the time.

RIP, Pvt Rambo. THANK YOU for your service. 🙏🙏❤️👣

Sharp presentation. We live in the greatest country known to mankind. Rest easy, Sir.. Semper Fi.

My dad and grandpa was buried with military honors 🎖and I love them both all of our family has served in every conflict as I can remember and still do today as my son served 2 tours in Iraq 🇮🇶💙love you

A simple Marine being layed to rest by brother Marines from a different era....Semper Fi ...

Fair Winds and Following Seas Brother. We have the Watch, Rest Easy.

I can’t say Rest In Peace because I know that you are in Heaven with the rest of our brothers. I look forward to seeing you and the rest of our brothers. SEMPER FI once a Marine always a Marine

Goodbye Pvt. William Rambo, let the American world remember you, you have joined your people... my condolences to your family and this nation.

It just warms my heart to see them come home

My total love and respect!

I was US Army 1974. Our flags blow in the wind from all that serve our great nation. God Bless the USA!

First let me say that we must cherish every moment with the greatest generation as our WW II veterans become fewer and fewer with each day, but they always will be true heroes!!! Pvt. Rambo our country can't thank you enough sir for your heroism, valor, gallantry and sacrifice on the battlefield of Tarawa, Rest in Peace sir and Semper Fi Marine!! Second and on a minor note who taught that female SSgt to salute because it is too far back, drop and give me fifty pushups for your snafu!!

A fitting resting place for another fallen soldier.Heroes All.RIP

Semper fi Pvt Rambo, thank you for your service.

As I was stationed in Virginia back in the early '80s I got to go to the cemetery it was the most beautiful place I've ever seen in my life.

Amen, and God love them all.

Thank you for your service sir. May God watch over you.

These videos are a testament to the love and bond between soldiers and their families during their homecoming.

From here in Australia we say thank you. God bless you, your home now.

What an awesome ceremony Rip God bless

Seeing this young Marine laid to rest with other warriors of America. I'm reminded of a quote from General Patton. Who stated "It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived". I thank GOD that we have such heroes in our blessed USA.

Thank you Private Rambo. Semper Fi!

My respect, from Argentina.

Thank You for your service and sacrifice for our freedoms Pvt. Rambo.... RIP

The greatest of the great generation

Rest In Peace “greatest generation”. Thoughts and prayers are with your family

Thank you Marine.

Joseph, God Bless your grandfather and all that serve. My dad and uncles served in WWII. Dad Navy...one uncle Marines...other uncle Army. All my respect to whomever serves in whatever way.

THIS IS BEAUTIFUL! SO VERY BEAUTIFUL! I WANNA CRY!

Respect, Tradition, Honor to the fallen.

Patrick, thank you for your efforts to keep those lost alive in the hearts of loved ones. Also that future generations may know the cost of war.

Thank you for your service, Pvt. William E. Rambo

Klękający żołnierz przed starszym człowiekiem to jest obraz szacunku. Podziwiam i bardzo szanuję takich ludzi.

Incredible how much respect is shown here for a camarad! ... sad situation .. but it is nice to see

The US military honour their dead servicemen and woman. It’s a great shame that many politicians find it impossible to honour the servicemen and woman that are still alive.

What a great honor to be an American, what a great honor to have served in the Armed Forces.

The last full measure of devotion.....a grateful nation thanks you sir.

and they are listed below ........ honorable , humble , and tru ely heart felt ........... i just can t think of the right words ........except ....never forget ......... thanks patrick for posting this ....

But always remember this: Marines die, that's what they´re there for! But the Marine Corps lives forever. And that means they live forever!

The precision of the guys..total respect…love you all ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Thank God he's home. Rest in peace pvt Rambo.

Wonderful ceremony well presented. With regards, the UK.

The respect brought tears to my eyes. Monday will be 2 years since son died. My sympathies to the family.

RIP Pvt. Rambo. Thank you for your service and that you are now at rest. Godspeed.

Such a great honor for these men thank you for serving our great nation rest in peace.

God bless the fellow soldier thank you for your Service