Montana

Montana veterans proving 'No one gets left behind'

Published

2 years ago

January 1, 2024

Montana veterans proving 'No one gets left behind'

HELENA — A core part of the U.S. military is a commitment, “no one gets left behind.” But the realities of war can complicate that promise. Three Montana veterans recently helped a fallen marine come home, 80 years after his death.

“We always try to bring those people home, whenever there’s a chance we will. That’s what we do,” said Montana Veterans of Foreign Wars volunteer Tim Sowa.

Sowa joined the Marine Corps in 1971 and did a three-year tour as a generator mechanic in places like Okinawa and Thailand. He then served in the Marine Corps Reserve for 10 years. Following that, he served in the Montana Army National Guard for 27 years before retiring in 2011.

Courtesy: Tim Sowa

He recently returned from Kiribati where he participated in the return of the remains of a Marine who died in the Battle of Tarawa. He was joined by Fred Hamilton and Mike Pryor also with Montana VFW.

The remnants of Japanese and American forces still stand in Tarawa Atoll more than a half-century since the end of World War II.

The Battle of Tarawa was the first American Offensive in the Central Pacific region, with the intent of capturing Japanese-held territory within the Gilbert Islands.

It was also the first time U.S. forces faced serious Japanese opposition to an amphibious landing.

On November 20, 35,000 troops from the U.S. 2nd Marine Division and the Army’s 27th Infantry Division assaulted Tarawa. After 76 hours the United States had taken the island, but at a significant cost.

There were 1,020 U.S. personnel reported missing or killed during the Battle of Tarawa. A reported 4,836 Japanese troops died, with only 17 survivors.

The trip to Kiribati was a long time in the making. Sowa says in 2019, Montana VFW Adjutant Tim Peters met with the Department of Accountability about going with History Flight to Kiribati. But the even best-laid plans can be impacted by a worldwide pandemic. When all was said and done the trip was rescheduled for November, 2023.

“It turns out it coincided with the 80th anniversary of the Battle [of Tarawa],” explained Sowa.

The Montana veterans participated in the 80th-anniversary commemoration ceremony alongside members of the Marine Corps, U.S. Ambassador Marie C. Damourand, and the President of Kiribati Taneti Maamau.

Montana veterans with Kiribati President Taneti Maamau

Sowa, Hamilton and Pryor also honored the marine as his remains were sent to Hawaii for identification.

“You’re humbled to know that that person gave his life for you,” explained Sowa. “And when we sent him on the plane you’re humbled again, and then when we walked the beaches you’re really humbled to know what they went through. You’re walking there but you don’t have bullets or shells or explosions around you.”

For the last decade, History Flight has been working with the Department of Accountability to identify more than 600 remains of the Marines killed during the battle of Tarawa, but there are still hundreds of Marines who died during the battle who are unaccounted for.

Of the U.S. Forces that died, most were buried in makeshift graveyards on the island with identifying markers. However, the markers were removed so Navy construction could build airfields and other infrastructure. In 1949, the U.S. government informed the families the remaining bodies, hundreds in total, on Tarawa were unrecoverable.

History Flight hasn’t accepted that answer and worked with involved governments to continue to identify and recover remains, even buying out homes so that remains can be recovered.

Sowa says he is thankful for the opportunity and commitment the involved organizations and governments have shown to help identify remains and get them back home.

“Thanks to the State of Montana VFW for letting us go to that and everybody that was contributing to that,” noted Sowa. “Just… It showed their warmth and their devotion to bringing people home, and that’s what matters to us, taking care of our veterans be they alive of dead and bringing them back.”

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Related Topics:Battle of Tarawa Featured History Flight Kiribati Marine-Corps Montana VFW recovered remains

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Montana

Montana State’s Taylee Chirrick earns second straight Big Sky Conference weekly honor

Published

28 minutes ago

January 6, 2026

Press Room

Montana State’s Taylee Chirrick earns second straight Big Sky Conference weekly honor

BOZEMAN — For the second consecutive week, Montana State sophomore guard Taylee Chirrick has been named Big Sky Conference player of the week, the league office announced Tuesday.

The 5-foot-11 product of Roberts scored the game-winning basket with 1.7 seconds remaining to lift the Bobcats to a 71-70 upset of Big 12 member Colorado on Sunday afternoon at the CU Events Center. Chirrick finished the contest with 21 points, which included a 7-for-7 effort at the free throw line.

Chirrick once again stuffed the stat sheet, pulling down a team-best six rebounds, while adding four steals, three assists and a pair of 3-pointers in the victory.

Chirrick is currently ranked third in the nation averaging 4.5 steals per game, and her 27 total steals rank 14th overall. Her 19.8 points per game rank second in the Big Sky and 28th in the nation.

Montana State opens the Big Sky Conference/Summit League Challenge on Wednesday at North Dakota State in Fargo. Tip is slated for 6 p.m. (MT) in the Scheels Center. The game will air live on the CBS Sports Network.

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Montana

Photos: Montana State clips Illinois State to win national championship

Published

13 hours ago

January 6, 2026

Press Room

Photos: Montana State clips Illinois State to win national championship

Montana State plays Illinois State in the FCS national championship game at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026.Justin Hosa / MTN Sports

Montana State topped Illinois State 35-34 in overtime to claim their first National Championship since 1984.TOM WYLIE/MTN Sports

Montana State plays Illinois State in the FCS national championship game at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026.Kyle Hansen / MTN Sports

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Montana

Watch: Bobcat Built – Montana State’s Championship Quest

Published

1 day ago

January 5, 2026

Press Room

Watch: Bobcat Built – Montana State’s Championship Quest

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Montana State squares off with Illinois State Monday night in the FCS national championship game at FirstBank Stadium on the campus of Vanderbilt University. Kickoff is set for 5:30 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on ESPN.

The Bobcats are making their third trip to the title game in the past five seasons under coach Brent Vigen. The program is seeking its first championship since 1984.

MTN Sports has been on the ground in Nashville for the past five days covering the lead-up to the game, including the pregame show “Bobcat Built: Montana State’s Championship Quest” hosted by Scott Breen and Kyle Hansen.

In it the MTN staff provides game previews, features, facts and figures and sights and sounds from the past several days in Music City in the run-up to the game. To watch, see the video reel below.

Watch: Bobcat Built – Montana State’s Championship Quest

Bobcat Built: Montana State’s Championship Quest

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Montana veterans proving 'No one gets left behind'

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Montana veterans proving 'No one gets left behind'

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Montana State’s Taylee Chirrick earns second straight Big Sky Conference weekly honor

Montana

Photos: Montana State clips Illinois State to win national championship

Montana

Watch: Bobcat Built – Montana State’s Championship Quest

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Montana veterans proving 'No one gets left behind'

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Montana

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Montana

Photos: Montana State clips Illinois State to win national championship

Montana

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