Wells, Vernon S, Sgt

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. Sgt Wells was one of the 2d Bn, 6th Marine's, 35 KIA and 61 WIA in the battle.


 

WELLS, Vernon S., Sgt 521/504/604/653/651                SN: 302264
Born: 07 Oct 1917 Chariton, Iowa
Enlisted: 26 Nov 1940 (Home of Record: 1208 Green Avenue, Chariton, Iowa)
Died: 27 Nov 1943 (KIA, Buariki, Tarawa Atoll, British Gilbert Islands)
Interred: Chariton Cemetery, Chariton, IA
 
3rd Recruit Battalion, Recruit Depot, MCB, San Diego, CA
Nov 1940 Pvt (Recruit) 3rd Recruit Bn, RD, MCB, San Diego, CA "28, jd fr CRD, Des Moines, IA"
Jan 1941 Pvt, 521 - 3rd Recruit Bn, RD, MCB, San Diego, CA
 
D Co, 1st Bn, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Brigade, FMF, MCB, San Diego, CA
Jan 1941 Pvt, D Co, 1st Bn, 6th Marines, 2nd MarBrig, FMF, MCB, San Diego, CA
Apr 1941 PFC, D Co, 1st Bn, 6th Marines, 2nd MarBrig, FMF, MCB, San Diego, CA "504"
 
D Co, 1st Bn, 6th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Brigade (PROV), FMF, MCB, Iceland
Jul 1941 PFC, D Co, 1st Bn, 6th Marines, 1st MarBrig (PROV), Iceland, Base Cmd "504"
Jan 1942 PFC, D Co, 1st Bn, 6th Marines, 1st MarBrig (PROV), Iceland, Base Cmd "504"
 
D Co, 1st Bn, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, FMF, MCB, San Diego, CA
Jul 1942 Cpl, D Co, 1st Bn, 6th Marines, 2nd MarDiv, FMF, MCB, San Diego, CA "604"
 
E Co, 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, FMF, In the Field
Oct 1942 Cpl, E Co, 2nd Bn, 6th Marines, 2nd MarDiv, FMF, In the Field (Noumea, New Caledonia) "653"
Jan 1943 Cpl, E Co, 2nd Bn, 6th Marines, 2nd MarDiv, FMF, In the Field (Guadalcanal, B.S.I.) "653"
Apr 1943 Cpl, E Co, 2nd Bn, 6th Marines, 2nd MarDiv, FMF, In the Field (Wellington, New Zealand)
Jul 1943 Sgt, E Co, 2nd Bn, 6th Marines, 2nd MarDiv, FMF, In the Field (Wellington, New Zealand)
Oct 1943 Sgt, E Co, 2nd Bn, 6th Marines, 2nd MarDiv, FMF, In the Field (Wellington, New Zealand)
Nov 1943 Sgt, 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
Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal
American Defense Service Medal
American Campaign Medal
Europe-Africa-Middle East Campaign Medal
Asiatic/Pacific Campaign Medal-2 stars
World War II Victory Medal