Massachusetts World War II Hero Finally Comes Home

FRAMINGHAM, MA — Francis Drake is finally home. The Framingham-born Marine was killed October 9, 1942, trying to save a fellow soldier on Guadalcanal during World War II. He was 20 years old.

Drake, like many soldiers killed on the island, was hastily buried in a makeshift grave as the fierce fighting continued. It was against his wishes, as he wrote before his death that he wanted to be buried in his home state.

His final wish was granted Friday. Drake, whose remains were recently discovered by a Guadalcanal resident renovating his home, was transported back to Massachusetts and buried with full military honors at the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Agawam.

"We never thought it was going to happen," Drake's nephew — also named Francis — told MassLive.

Drake was awarded the Silver Star for his actions.

"He gallantly gave his life for his country," his commendation reads. "Private First Class Drake and a comrade, while exposed to vigorous hostile fire, attempted to carry a wounded Marine from the scene of his injury to a protective ridge about one hundred yards distant. When almost within reach of his objective, Private First Class Drake was struck by enemy fire and killed. His heroic spirit of self-sacrifice was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

Drake's mother died in 1954 of a "broken heart," her family told MassLive.

The Department of Defense says there are still about 72,000 American soldiers unaccounted for from World War II.

This is Drake's obituary:

SPRINGFIELD - Private First Class Francis E. Drake Jr, 20, of Springfield died in combat on October 9, 1942 in Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands. Francis, son of Francis “Frank” and Lillian (Seville) Drake, was born in Framingham, MA on June 28, 1922. He was raised on Mill St. in Springfield with his brothers, Donald and Walter Drake.

Francis was in the United States Marine Corps and member of Chesty Puller’s First Battalion, 7th Marines, Company C. On October 9, 2017, he was found by the owner of the land where he had been buried in 1942. This was on the 71st anniversary of his death. Francis was identified by his dog tags on site but was sent to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii for further confirmation.

He was the first Marine from Springfield killed in WWII. Francis was a Purple Heart and Silver Star recipient.

Francis will be transported home to be laid to rest in his home state of Massachusetts fulfilling his wish to be buried on American soil.

He is survived by his nephews, Francis P. Drake and his wife Rainey, and Michael Drake; his niece, Donna Drake; his sister in law, Jeanne Drake; his great nephew, Francis P. Drake Jr.; and his great nieces, Alycia Drake, Krystal Rushford, Stephanie Drake and Natalie Drake.

Photo credit: Department of Defense