CLARKSBURG, Mass. — Marine Pvt. First Class Erwin S. King returns home on Friday, more than eight decades after he marched to war.

 

King, who grew up on West Road, was killed in action during the Battle of Guadalcanal in World War II. He remains had been buried temporarily with nine of his comrades on the island. There were several unsuccessful attempt to recover the bodies and it was not until 2018 that King's gravesite was uncovered. 

 

His family was notified in May that his remains had finally been identified.

 

The 18-year-old had enlisted only six weeks after Pearl Harbor and never returned home. On Friday, his body will be escorted by veterans organizations and police from Bradley International Airport in Connecticut to Clarksburg Town Hall, where a wreath-laying will be observed at approximately 3 p.m. 

 

The procession will then proceed to Flynn & Dagnoli Funeral Home on West Main Street, passing Veterans Memorial Park at Center and Eagle Street. Those wishing to pay respects should be there between 3 and 3:15 p.m. 

 

The wake will be held at Flynn & Dagnoli's West Chapels on Monday from 5 to 7 p.m. 

 

King will be buried next to his parents, Erwin C. and Emelia LaFountain King, in Southview Cemetery on Tuesday, 82 years to the day he was killed.

 

A group including King's family members and Mayor Jennifer Macksey will be at the airport when he arrives from Hawai'i around 1 p.m. The wake on Monday will be open to the public and a funeral service will be held Tuesday beginning at 11 a.m. at the funeral home.  

 

A graveside service will include full military honors beginning at noon at the cemetery.