A US charity discovered the bodies, which included a Congressional Medal of Honour recipient, at the scene of some of the fiercest fighting in the Pacific during World War II.
A repatriation ceremony was held in Tarawa on Saturday before the remains arrived in Honolulu.
“I was very pleased to learn of the discovery of the remains of our Marines on the island of Tarawa — one of our most significant and contested battles,” commandant of the Marine Corps, General Joseph Dunford, said.
“This battle demonstrated the indomitable fighting spirit of our Marines.
