Last Known Activity:
KIA, 27 Nov 1943, Buariki, Tarawa Atoll, British Gilbert Islands.
The 2nd Bn, 6th Marines were the last of the 2nd MarDiv reserve and were committed late to Betio during the three day battle of 20-23 Nov 1943. As a result, they were tasked with the mopping up operation of the remaining islets of the Tarawa Atoll.
After clearing Biariki (the next islet east of Betio) on D+3 they prepared to initiate the clean-up of the remaining islets on D+4. On 24 Nov 1943 the battalion cleared Buota, the most SE islet of the atoll and for the next three days, they cleared each successive islet moving relentlessly north. On 26 Nov, 1943, they encountered resistance as they conducted the initial reconnaissance of the crossing to the last islet, Buariki. On 27 Nov 1943, LtCol Raymond L Murray directed his battalion in an all-out assault in which they overwhelmed and killed 175 members of the Imperial Japanese Navy's, "Special Naval Landing Force", ending all organized resistance on the atoll.
1st Lt Ruud was one of the 2d Bn, 6th Marine's, 35 KIA and 61 WIA in the battle.
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Comments/Citation:
RUUD, Reuben P., 1st Lt, 1542 SN: 11619
Born: 07 Jan 1920 North Dakota
Enlisted: 03 Mar 1942
Died: 27 Nov 1943 (KIA, Buariki, Tarawa Atoll, British Gilbert Islands)
Interred: National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Grave A473
Officers Training, Marine Corps Schools, Marine Barracks, Quantico, VA
Apr 1942 PFC, Attached, Platoon Leaders Unit, 9th Reserve District 14, jd by S/RS for RS, Fargo, ND
Jul 1942 PFC, Co D, Candidates Class, MCS, MB, Quantico, VA 17, SOCMC to accept comm as 2nd Lt, USMCR, Char Exc, Auth CMC ltr 1965-90-10, AU-256-fb, dated 27Jun42
Jul 1942 2nd Lt, 1542, Reserve Officers Class, MCS, MB, Quantico, VA
E Co, 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, FMF, In the Field
Oct 1942 2nd Lt, 1542, E Co, 2nd Bn, 6th Marines, 2nd MarDiv, FMF, In the Field 10 jd fr MCS, MB, Quantico, VA
Jan 1943 2nd Lt, 1542, E Co, 2nd Bn, 6th Marines, 2nd MarDiv, FMF, In the Field (Guadalcanal)
Apr 1943 2nd Lt, 1542, E Co, 2nd Bn, 6th Marines, 2nd MarDiv, FMF, In the Field (Wellington, New Zealand)
Jul 1943 1st Lt, 1542, E Co, 2nd Bn, 6th Marines, 2nd MarDiv, FMF, In the Field (Wellington, New Zealand)
Oct 1943 1st Lt, 1542, E Co, 2nd Bn, 6th Marines, 2nd MarDiv, FMF, In the Field (Wellington, New Zealand)
Nov 1943 1st Lt, 1542, E Co, 2nd Bn, 6th Marines, 2nd MarDiv, FMF, In the Field (Tarawa Atoll, British Gilbert Islands)
Based on this service record, I believe that we can confidently state that he rates the following awards for WWII:
Purple Heart Medal
Combat Action Ribbon
Navy Presidential Unit Citation
American Campaign Medal
Asiatic/Pacific Campaign Medal-2 stars
World War II Victory Medal
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