Family and friends gathered at Long Island National Cemetery Monday as a World War II solider was finally laid to rest.

Air Force Corporal George Cunningham, then 24, died 61 years ago on a routine mission flying supplies in New Guinea. Relatives knew of the plane crash, but say for years they were unsure if the Japanese had captured Cunningham. An Australian pilot first spotted the wreckage in 1975. Officials say remains of the crew were discovered in 1975 and 1980, and then again in 2004. According to family members, positive identification of Cunningham through DNA came in June.

Cunningham, of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, received full military honors. He is buried near two of his brothers.