Tag: Operation Galvanic

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Ball, William David Jr.
Marines Sergeant

William David Jr. Ball, age 21, from Hollywood, California, Los Angeles county.

Parents: Martha J. Ball

Service era: World War II

Date of death: Tuesday, November 21, 1944
Death details: On July 26, 2017, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) identified the remains of Sergeant William David Ball Jr., missing from World War II. Sergeant William Ball, who joined the U.S. Marine Corps from California, served with Company B, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division. He was wounded in the arm in the fighting on Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll, on November 20, 1943, and was to be transferred to the USS J. Franklin Bell (APA 16) for treatment. However, his name disappeared from the medical records and he was reported as missing in action. After the war, the remains of U.S. service members buried on Tarawa were disinterred and transported to Hawaii for identification, and those that could not be identified at the time were buried as “unknowns” at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. Later advancements in forensic technology allowed SGT Ball’s remains to be successfully identified from among these Tarawa unknowns.
Cemetery: Tablets of the Missing at Honolulu Memorial

Source: National Archives, American Battle Monuments Commission, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

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Canepa, Richard Ermest
Marines Reserves Private

Richard Ermest Canepa, age 18, from Alameda, California, Alameda county.

Parents: Florence R. Canepa

Service era: World War II

Date of death: Tuesday, November 21, 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 Richard Ernest Canepa entered the U.S. Marine Corps from California and was a member of Company A, 1st Battalion, 18th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division. He was killed on November 23, 1943, during the Battle of Tarawa. He was likely buried on Betio Island; however, there was no formal record of his burial and he could not be identified among the remains disinterred from the island following the war. Today, Private Canepa is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.
Cemetery: Honolulu Memorial

Source: National Archives, American Battle Monuments Commission, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

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Cunningham, Grover Clyde
Marines Sergeant

Grover Clyde Cunningham, age 24, from Conelly Springs, North Carolina, Clay county.

Spouse: Velma Martin Poteat

Service era: World War II

Date of death: Tuesday, November 21, 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 Grover Clyde Cunningham, who entered the U.S. Marine Corps from Georgia, served with Company A, 2nd Amphibious Tractor Battalion, 2nd Marine Division. On November 20, 1943, he was declared missing in action during the Battle of Tarawa. He could not be located following the battle, and he was presumed dead. Attempts to locate his remains following the battle were unsuccessful, and he is still unaccounted-for. Today, Sergeant Cunningham 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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McAllister, Sam Williams Jr.
Marines

Sam Williams Jr. McAllister, age 21, from San Antonio, Texas, Bexar county.

Service era: World War II

Date of death: Tuesday, November 21, 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 Sam W. McAllister Jr. joined the U.S. Marine Corps from Texas and served with Company I, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division. Marine Corps records indicate that Sergeant McAllister was wounded in action on November 20 during the Battle of Tarawa. However, there is no record of him being treated at any medical station on Tarawa, and no record of his burial. His remains could not be identified among those recovered from Tarawa following the war, and he is still unaccounted-for. Today, Sergeant McAllister 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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Paner, Elmer Edward
Marine Reserves Private

Elmer Edward Paner, age 21, from Detroit, Michigan, Wayne county.

Parents: Elmer F. Paner

Service era: World War II

Date of death: Tuesday, November 21, 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 Elmer Edward Paner, who entered the U.S. Marine Corps from Michigan, served in Company L, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division. He was wounded in action during the Battle of Tarawa on November 20, 1943, and evacuated to an unknown location for treatment. However, he was never listed on any known hospital or medical facility registries, and there are no reports as to his whereabouts following the battle. He is presumed to have died of his wounds, and he was not identified among the remains disinterred from Tarawa following the war. Today, Private Paner 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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Ryan, Kenneth John
Marines Reserves Private 1st class

Kenneth John Ryan, age 21, from Phoenix, Arizona, Maricopa county.

Service era: World War II

Date of death: Tuesday, November 21, 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 Kenneth John Ryan, who joined the U.S. Marine Corps in Arizona, served with Company M, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division. He was wounded by enemy fire on November 20, 1943, as his unit approached Tarawa. Another Marine pulled PFC Ryan to a nearby sandbar, where he soon died. Following the battle, PFC Ryan’s remains could not be recovered, and he coult not be identified among remains recovered from Tarawa after the war. Today, Private First Class Ryan 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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Smith, James Samuel
Marines

James Samuel Smith, age 19, from Liberty, Mississippi, Amite county.

Service era: World War II

Date of death: Tuesday, November 21, 1944
Death details: On June 13, 2016, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) identified the remains of Private First Class James S. Smith, missing from World War II. Private First Class Smith entered the U.S. Marine Corps from Louisiana and served in Company C, 2nd Amphibious Tractor Battalion, 2nd Marine Division. He went missing on November 20, 1943, during the assault on Betio Island during the invasion of the Tarawa Atoll. PFC Smith could not be found following the battle and was presumed lost. He remained unaccounted-for until 2011 when the nongovernmental organization History Flight Inc. discovered a burial site on Betio. DPAA excavated the site and recovered human remains which were accessioned by the DPAA laboratory in Hawaii. Analysts used material evidence and dental comparisons to individually identify Private First Class Smith from among these remains in 2016.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

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Smith, Loren Avis
Marines Reserves Private

Loren Avis Smith, age 21, from Kansas City, Missouri, Jackson county.

Parents: Sam J. Smith

Service era: World War II

Date of death: Tuesday, November 21, 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 Loren Avis Smith joined the U.S. Marine Corps from Missouri and was a member of Company A, 1st Battalion, 8th Marines, 2nd Marine Division which took part in the Battle of Tarawa. He was killed in action on Tarawa on November 20. Private Smith was buried in Main Marine Cemetery, Cemetery #33, Grave #6, Row #1, Plot #5, but after the war his remains could not be identified. Private Smith 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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Thompson, James E.
Marines Reserves Private 1st class

James E. Thompson, age 19, from Austin, Indiana, Scott county.

Parents: Lena M. Haskett

Service era: World War II

Date of death: Tuesday, November 21, 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 E. Thompson, who joined the U.S. Marine Corps from Indiana, was a member of Company L, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division. On November 20, 1943, PFC Thompson was wounded by enemy fire during the amphibious assault on Tarawa. After being hit, he was seen approaching an amphibious tractor that was picking up casualties. Following the battle, he was declared missing in action, and searches of the atoll failed to locate his remains. Today, Private First Class Thompson 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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Berge, Allen Marvin
Marines Corporal

Allen Marvin Berge, age 23, from Blue Mounds, Wisconsin, Dane county.

Parents: Andrew Berge

Service era: World War II

Date of death: Monday, November 20, 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. Corporal Allen Marvin Berge, who joined the U.S. Marine Corps from Wisconsin, served with Company A, 1st Battalion, 18th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division. On November 20, 1943, he was wounded in action on Tarawa, and was transferred to a US Naval ship for treatment. He subsequently died but the disposition of his remains is unknown and he has not been associated with any of the remains later recovered from Tarawa burial sites. Today, Corporal Berge is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.
Cemetery: Tablets of the Missing at Honolulu Memorial

Source: National Archives, American Battle Monuments Commission, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency