TOKYO — An archeological team from the U.S. Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command in Hawaii will be heading to the island of Tarawa to look for remains of Marines and sailors still listed as missing from a bloody World War II battle against Japanese forces.

Up to six sites designated as areas likely to contain possible human remains and material evidence will be excavated over a month and a half starting in August, according to a JPAC news release.

The exact number of U.S. remains at Tarawa, in the Republic of Kiribati, is unclear. According to recent JPAC assessments, it is likely there are several hundred servicemembers unaccounted for.

To date there are approximately 74,190 unaccounted-for Americans from World War II.

From staff reports