North Texas Man Identified in World War II Remains The remains of Fred Farris, 19 and a Hillsboro man, were identified nearly 80 years after he died in battle as a Marine Corps sergeant Published 3 hours ago • Updated 3 hours ago Defense PO-MIA Accounting Agency A Hillsboro 19-year-old man was identified in World War II remains after the Marine Corps sergeant died in a battle in the Pacific Ocean on Nov. 20, 1943. According to the Defense POW-MIA Account Agency, Sgt. Fred Farris, who was 19 at the time, died in the first day of battle on the small island of Betio of the Gilbert Islands.