Tag: Operation Galvanic

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Simpson, Robert Edward
Marines Corporal

Robert Edward Simpson, age 24, from Clovis, California, Fresno county.

Parents: William R. Simpson

Service era: World War II

Date of death: Thursday, February 21, 1946
Death details: From November 20 through 23, 1943, the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Navy conducted a large-scale amphibious assault on the Japanese-held atoll of Tarawa as part of Operation Galvanic, the Allied capture of the Gilbert Islands. Located 2,500 miles southwest of Hawaii, Tarawa was a crucial stepping stone in the planned U.S. offensive across the central Pacific toward Japan. The Japanese garrison on Tarawa’s main island of Betio was well-entrenched with hundreds of bunkers and gun positions behind formidable beach obstacles. The first wave of Marines approaching the shore encountered lower-than-expected tides, forcing them to leave their landing craft on the reef and wade the hundreds of yards to the beach under intense enemy fire. The heaviest number of U.S. casualties were suffered during this phase of the landing. Eventually, rising tides allowed U.S. warships to maneuver closer to shore and support the troops with effective naval gunfire. More Marines landed on the second day, launching attacks inland from the beaches and seizing the Japanese airfield on the island. However, the enemy launched vicious counterattacks and two more days of intense fighting were needed to secure Betio. The last enemy strongpoints were taken on the morning of November 23. The fighting on Betio cost the Marines nearly 3,000 casualties but enabled U.S. forces to press further across the Pacific and yielded valuable tactical lessons that reduced U.S. losses in future amphibious landings. Sergeant Robert Edward Simpson entered the U.S. Marine Corps from California and served in Company M of the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division. He was killed in action on November 20, 1943, during the Battle of Tarawa. Sergeant Simpson was buried in Cemetery #11 on Tarawa, but he was not identified among remains disinterred from the cemetery after the war. Today, Sergeant Simpson is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

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Hannigan, George Anthony
Marines Reserves Private

George Anthony Hannigan, age 27, from Hollywood, California, Los Angeles county.

Service era: World War II

Date of death: Monday, November 27, 1944
Death details: From November 20 through 23, 1943, the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Navy conducted a large-scale amphibious assault on the Japanese-held atoll of Tarawa as part of Operation Galvanic, the Allied capture of the Gilbert Islands. Located 2,500 miles southwest of Hawaii, Tarawa was a crucial stepping stone in the planned U.S. offensive across the central Pacific toward Japan. The Japanese garrison on Tarawa’s main island of Betio was well-entrenched with hundreds of bunkers and gun positions behind formidable beach obstacles. The first wave of Marines approaching the shore encountered lower-than-expected tides, forcing them to leave their landing craft on the reef and wade the hundreds of yards to the beach under intense enemy fire. The heaviest number of U.S. casualties were suffered during this phase of the landing. Eventually, rising tides allowed U.S. warships to maneuver closer to shore and support the troops with effective naval gunfire. More Marines landed on the second day, launching attacks inland from the beaches and seizing the Japanese airfield on the island. However, the enemy launched vicious counterattacks and two more days of intense fighting were needed to secure Betio. The last enemy strongpoints were taken on the morning of November 23. The fighting on Betio cost the Marines nearly 3,000 casualties but enabled U.S. forces to press further across the Pacific and yielded valuable tactical lessons that reduced U.S. losses in future amphibious landings. Private George Anthony Hannigan, who joined the U.S. Marine Corps from California, was a member of Company C, 2nd Tank Battalion, 2nd Marine Division. He was wounded during the Battle of Tarawa on November 20, 1943, and was evacuated to an unspecified area. However, he could not be located at any hospitals or aid stations after the battle, and his remains were never recovered. Attempts to identify him among remains recovered from Tarawa following the war were unsuccessful, and he is still unaccounted-for. Today, Private Hannigan is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

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Coleman, Alfred Edwin
Marines Sergeant

Alfred Edwin Coleman, age 23, from Birmingham, Alabama, Jefferson county.

Parents: Alfred H. Coleman

Service era: World War II

Date of death: Friday, November 24, 1944
Death details: From November 20 through 23, 1943, the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Navy conducted a large-scale amphibious assault on the Japanese-held atoll of Tarawa as part of Operation Galvanic, the Allied capture of the Gilbert Islands. Located 2,500 miles southwest of Hawaii, Tarawa was a crucial stepping stone in the planned U.S. offensive across the central Pacific toward Japan. The Japanese garrison on Tarawa’s main island of Betio was well-entrenched with hundreds of bunkers and gun positions behind formidable beach obstacles. The first wave of Marines approaching the shore encountered lower-than-expected tides, forcing them to leave their landing craft on the reef and wade the hundreds of yards to the beach under intense enemy fire. The heaviest number of U.S. casualties were suffered during this phase of the landing. Eventually, rising tides allowed U.S. warships to maneuver closer to shore and support the troops with effective naval gunfire. More Marines landed on the second day, launching attacks inland from the beaches and seizing the Japanese airfield on the island. However, the enemy launched vicious counterattacks and two more days of intense fighting were needed to secure Betio. The last enemy strongpoints were taken on the morning of November 23. The fighting on Betio cost the Marines nearly 3,000 casualties but enabled U.S. forces to press further across the Pacific and yielded valuable tactical lessons that reduced U.S. losses in future amphibious landings. Sergeant Alfred Edwin Coleman, who joined the U.S. Marine Corps from Alabama, served with Company G, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division. Sergeant Coleman was wounded on November 22, transferred to a Navy ship for treatment and declared dead as of November 23. His body was not recovered. Today, Sergeant Coleman is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

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Davis, James Thomas
Marines Private 1st class

James Thomas Davis, age 25, from Carpenter, Mississippi, Claiborne county.

Service era: World War II

Date of death: Thursday, November 23, 1944
Death details: From November 20 through 23, 1943, the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Navy conducted a large-scale amphibious assault on the Japanese-held atoll of Tarawa as part of Operation Galvanic, the Allied capture of the Gilbert Islands. Located 2,500 miles southwest of Hawaii, Tarawa was a crucial stepping stone in the planned U.S. offensive across the central Pacific toward Japan. The Japanese garrison on Tarawa’s main island of Betio was well-entrenched with hundreds of bunkers and gun positions behind formidable beach obstacles. The first wave of Marines approaching the shore encountered lower-than-expected tides, forcing them to leave their landing craft on the reef and wade the hundreds of yards to the beach under intense enemy fire. The heaviest number of U.S. casualties were suffered during this phase of the landing. Eventually, rising tides allowed U.S. warships to maneuver closer to shore and support the troops with effective naval gunfire. More Marines landed on the second day, launching attacks inland from the beaches and seizing the Japanese airfield on the island. However, the enemy launched vicious counterattacks and two more days of intense fighting were needed to secure Betio. The last enemy strongpoints were taken on the morning of November 23. The fighting on Betio cost the Marines nearly 3,000 casualties but enabled U.S. forces to press further across the Pacific and yielded valuable tactical lessons that reduced U.S. losses in future amphibious landings. Private First Class James Thomas Davis, who joined the U.S. Marine Corps from Mississippi, served with Company A, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division. Marine Corps records indicate that he was wounded in action at Betio Island and transferred to the USS Doyen (APA-1) for medical treatment. He was presumptively declared dead as of November 23; however, his remains were not recovered. Today, Private First Class Davis is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

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Dobson, Claude Walter
Marines Private 1st class

Claude Walter Dobson, age 20, from Manhattan, Kansas, Riley county.

Service era: World War II

Date of death: Wednesday, November 22, 1944
Death details: From November 20 through 23, 1943, the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Navy conducted a large-scale amphibious assault on the Japanese-held atoll of Tarawa as part of Operation Galvanic, the Allied capture of the Gilbert Islands. Located 2,500 miles southwest of Hawaii, Tarawa was a crucial stepping stone in the planned U.S. offensive across the central Pacific toward Japan. The Japanese garrison on Tarawa’s main island of Betio was well-entrenched with hundreds of bunkers and gun positions behind formidable beach obstacles. The first wave of Marines approaching the shore encountered lower-than-expected tides, forcing them to leave their landing craft on the reef and wade the hundreds of yards to the beach under intense enemy fire. The heaviest number of U.S. casualties were suffered during this phase of the landing. Eventually, rising tides allowed U.S. warships to maneuver closer to shore and support the troops with effective naval gunfire. More Marines landed on the second day, launching attacks inland from the beaches and seizing the Japanese airfield on the island. However, the enemy launched vicious counterattacks and two more days of intense fighting were needed to secure Betio. The last enemy strongpoints were taken on the morning of November 23. The fighting on Betio cost the Marines nearly 3,000 casualties but enabled U.S. forces to press further across the Pacific and yielded valuable tactical lessons that reduced U.S. losses in future amphibious landings. Private First Class Claude Walter Dobson, who joined the U.S. Marine Corps from Missouri, was a member of Company C, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, which served in the Battle of Tarawa. On November 21, 1943, he was wounded in action and evacuated to a Navy ship for treatment. PFC Dobson was declared dead as of November 22, 1943. However, searches of the atoll following the end of hostilities were unable to locate PFC Dobson’s remains. Today, Private First Class Dobson is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

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Huffman, Paul Franklin
Marines Private

Paul Franklin Huffman, age 24, from Zanesville, Ohio, Muskingum county.

Parents: D. H. Huffman

Service era: World War II

Date of death: Wednesday, November 22, 1944
Death details: From November 20 through 23, 1943, the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Navy conducted a large-scale amphibious assault on the Japanese-held atoll of Tarawa as part of Operation Galvanic, the Allied capture of the Gilbert Islands. Located 2,500 miles southwest of Hawaii, Tarawa was a crucial stepping stone in the planned U.S. offensive across the central Pacific toward Japan. The Japanese garrison on Tarawa’s main island of Betio was well-entrenched with hundreds of bunkers and gun positions behind formidable beach obstacles. The first wave of Marines approaching the shore encountered lower-than-expected tides, forcing them to leave their landing craft on the reef and wade the hundreds of yards to the beach under intense enemy fire. The heaviest number of U.S. casualties were suffered during this phase of the landing. Eventually, rising tides allowed U.S. warships to maneuver closer to shore and support the troops with effective naval gunfire. More Marines landed on the second day, launching attacks inland from the beaches and seizing the Japanese airfield on the island. However, the enemy launched vicious counterattacks and two more days of intense fighting were needed to secure Betio. The last enemy strongpoints were taken on the morning of November 23. The fighting on Betio cost the Marines nearly 3,000 casualties but enabled U.S. forces to press further across the Pacific and yielded valuable tactical lessons that reduced U.S. losses in future amphibious landings. Private Paul Franklin Huffman, who joined the U.S. Marine Corps in West Virginia, served with Company D, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, and was lost during the Battle of Tarawa. On November 21, 1943, Private Huffman was reported as wounded and evacuated to an unspecified location. Investigators were unable to find any evidence that he was hospitalized or received treatment at any known medical post. Additionally, his remains could not be identified among those recovered from Tarawa after the war. Today, Private Huffman is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

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Keller, William Walter
Marines Reserves Private 1st class

William Walter Keller, age 21, from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Milwaukee county.

Parents: William J. Keller

Service era: World War II

Date of death: Wednesday, November 22, 1944
Death details: From November 20 through 23, 1943, the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Navy conducted a large-scale amphibious assault on the Japanese-held atoll of Tarawa as part of Operation Galvanic, the Allied capture of the Gilbert Islands. Located 2,500 miles southwest of Hawaii, Tarawa was a crucial stepping stone in the planned U.S. offensive across the central Pacific toward Japan. The Japanese garrison on Tarawa’s main island of Betio was well-entrenched with hundreds of bunkers and gun positions behind formidable beach obstacles. The first wave of Marines approaching the shore encountered lower-than-expected tides, forcing them to leave their landing craft on the reef and wade the hundreds of yards to the beach under intense enemy fire. The heaviest number of U.S. casualties were suffered during this phase of the landing. Eventually, rising tides allowed U.S. warships to maneuver closer to shore and support the troops with effective naval gunfire. More Marines landed on the second day, launching attacks inland from the beaches and seizing the Japanese airfield on the island. However, the enemy launched vicious counterattacks and two more days of intense fighting were needed to secure Betio. The last enemy strongpoints were taken on the morning of November 23. The fighting on Betio cost the Marines nearly 3,000 casualties but enabled U.S. forces to press further across the Pacific and yielded valuable tactical lessons that reduced U.S. losses in future amphibious landings. Private First Class William W. Keller entered the U.S. Marine Corps from Wisconsin and served in Company F, 2nd Battalion, 18th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force. He was killed in action on or about November 21, 1944, during the Battle of Tarawa, though the details surrounding his loss are unknown. He was reportedly buried on Betio, but he was not identified among the remains disinterred from the island following the war, and is still unaccounted-for. Today, Private First Class Keller is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

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Miller, Eugene Parker
Marines Reserves Private

Eugene Parker Miller, age 19, from San Francisco, California, San Francisco county.

Parents: A. L. Shields

Service era: World War II

Date of death: Wednesday, November 22, 1944
Death details: From November 20 through 23, 1943, the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Navy conducted a large-scale amphibious assault on the Japanese-held atoll of Tarawa as part of Operation Galvanic, the Allied capture of the Gilbert Islands. Located 2,500 miles southwest of Hawaii, Tarawa was a crucial stepping stone in the planned U.S. offensive across the central Pacific toward Japan. The Japanese garrison on Tarawa’s main island of Betio was well-entrenched with hundreds of bunkers and gun positions behind formidable beach obstacles. The first wave of Marines approaching the shore encountered lower-than-expected tides, forcing them to leave their landing craft on the reef and wade the hundreds of yards to the beach under intense enemy fire. The heaviest number of U.S. casualties were suffered during this phase of the landing. Eventually, rising tides allowed U.S. warships to maneuver closer to shore and support the troops with effective naval gunfire. More Marines landed on the second day, launching attacks inland from the beaches and seizing the Japanese airfield on the island. However, the enemy launched vicious counterattacks and two more days of intense fighting were needed to secure Betio. The last enemy strongpoints were taken on the morning of November 23. The fighting on Betio cost the Marines nearly 3,000 casualties but enabled U.S. forces to press further across the Pacific and yielded valuable tactical lessons that reduced U.S. losses in future amphibious landings. Private Eugene Parker Miller, who joined the U.S. Marine Corps in Utah, served with Battery G, 3rd Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division. He was wounded by enemy fire while disembarking from a ship on November 21, 1943, during the Battle of Tarawa. A witness reported seeing medics rush to Private Miller’s assistance before transferring him to an unknown location for treatment. Efforts to locate Private Miller in the immediate aftermath of the battle were unsuccessful, and his remains were not identified among those disinterred from Tarawa following the war. Today, Private Miller is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

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Urbanik, Frank
Marines Private 1st class

Frank Urbanik, age 24, from Chicago, Illinois, Cook county.

Parents: Lena Urbanik

Service era: World War II

Date of death: Wednesday, November 22, 1944
Death details: From November 20 through 23, 1943, the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Navy conducted a large-scale amphibious assault on the Japanese-held atoll of Tarawa as part of Operation Galvanic, the Allied capture of the Gilbert Islands. Located 2,500 miles southwest of Hawaii, Tarawa was a crucial stepping stone in the planned U.S. offensive across the central Pacific toward Japan. The Japanese garrison on Tarawa’s main island of Betio was well-entrenched with hundreds of bunkers and gun positions behind formidable beach obstacles. The first wave of Marines approaching the shore encountered lower-than-expected tides, forcing them to leave their landing craft on the reef and wade the hundreds of yards to the beach under intense enemy fire. The heaviest number of U.S. casualties were suffered during this phase of the landing. Eventually, rising tides allowed U.S. warships to maneuver closer to shore and support the troops with effective naval gunfire. More Marines landed on the second day, launching attacks inland from the beaches and seizing the Japanese airfield on the island. However, the enemy launched vicious counterattacks and two more days of intense fighting were needed to secure Betio. The last enemy strongpoints were taken on the morning of November 23. The fighting on Betio cost the Marines nearly 3,000 casualties but enabled U.S. forces to press further across the Pacific and yielded valuable tactical lessons that reduced U.S. losses in future amphibious landings. Private First Class Frank Urbanik, who joined the U.S. Marine Corps from Illinois, was a member of Company D, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division. He went missing in action on November 21, 1943, during the Battle of Tarawa. All efforts to locate PFC Urbanik after his disappearance were unsuccessful, and he was not identified among the remains disinterred from Tarawa following the war. Today, Private First Class Urbanik is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

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Vaccarezza, Eugene Ernest
Marines Reserves Private 1st class

Eugene Ernest Vaccarezza, age 23, from Occidental, California, Sonoma county.

Parents: Mabel Vaccarezza

Service era: World War II

Date of death: Wednesday, November 22, 1944
Death details: From November 20 through 23, 1943, the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Navy conducted a large-scale amphibious assault on the Japanese-held atoll of Tarawa as part of Operation Galvanic, the Allied capture of the Gilbert Islands. Located 2,500 miles southwest of Hawaii, Tarawa was a crucial stepping stone in the planned U.S. offensive across the central Pacific toward Japan. The Japanese garrison on Tarawa’s main island of Betio was well-entrenched with hundreds of bunkers and gun positions behind formidable beach obstacles. The first wave of Marines approaching the shore encountered lower-than-expected tides, forcing them to leave their landing craft on the reef and wade the hundreds of yards to the beach under intense enemy fire. The heaviest number of U.S. casualties were suffered during this phase of the landing. Eventually, rising tides allowed U.S. warships to maneuver closer to shore and support the troops with effective naval gunfire. More Marines landed on the second day, launching attacks inland from the beaches and seizing the Japanese airfield on the island. However, the enemy launched vicious counterattacks and two more days of intense fighting were needed to secure Betio. The last enemy strongpoints were taken on the morning of November 23. The fighting on Betio cost the Marines nearly 3,000 casualties but enabled U.S. forces to press further across the Pacific and yielded valuable tactical lessons that reduced U.S. losses in future amphibious landings. Private First Class Eugene Ernest Vaccarezza, who joined the U.S. Marine Corps from California, was a member of Battery G, 3rd Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division. On November 21, 1943, he was struck by machine gun fire during the assault on Tarawa and was evacuated to an unknown location. After the battle, no further reports regarding PFC Vaccarezza’s status emerged, and a thorough search of all hospitals and medical establishments on Tarawa was initiated. All efforts to locate PFC Vaccarezza following his disappearance were unsuccessful, and he was not identified among the remains disinterred from Tarawa following the war. Today, Private First Class Vaccarezza is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency