If you knew or served with this Marine and have additional information or photos to support this Page,
please leave a message for the Page Administrator(s)
HERE
CPT BARR SERVED WITH F CO, 2ND BN, 2ND MAR, 2ND MARDIV DURING WWll.
HE WON THE NAVY CROSS AT TARAWA. HIS CITATION READS:
THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TAKES PLEASURE IN PRESENTING THE NAVY CROSS TO SECOND LIEUTENANT JOSEPH JAMES BARR (MCSN: 0-19359), UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS (RESERVE), FOR EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM AND DISTINGUISHED SERVICE WHILE SERVING AS A PLATOON LEADER IN COMPANY F, SECOND BATTALION, SECOND MARINES, SECOND MARINE DIVISION, IN ACTION AGAINST ENEMY JAPANESE FORCES AT BETIO ISLAND, TARAWA ATOLL, GILBERT ISLANDS, ON 20 NOVEMBER 1943. ALTHOUGH WOUNDED IN THE FACE AND RIGHT SHOULDER WHILE EMBARKED IN A LANDING CRAFT APPROACHING THE BEACH, SECOND LIEUTENANT BARR NEVERLESS REMAINED FOR THIRTY-SIX HOURS TO ORGANIZE AND LEAD HIS PLATOON. HIS INSPIRING CONDUCT INDOMITABLE FIGHTING SPIRIT AND COMPLETE DISREGARD FOR HIS OWN NEEDS THROUGHOUT THIS GRUELING PERIOD REFLECTS GREAT CREDIT UPON HIMSELF AND THE UNITED STATES NAVAL SERVICE.
Other Comments:
CPT BARR WAS 88 YEARS OLD WHEN HE DIED.
HE WAS A LAWYER, JUDGE, AND MARINE ACCORDING TO FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
The 2nd Marine Division (2nd MARDIV) is a division of the United States Marine Corps, which forms the ground combat element of the II Marine Expeditionary Force (II MEF). The division is based at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina and headquartered at Julian C. Smith Hall.
The 2nd Marine Division earned renown in World War II, distinguishing itself at Guadalcanal, Tarawa, Saipan, Tinian, and Okinawa
The lineal forebearer of the 2nd Marine Division is the 2nd Marine Brigade, which was activated on 1 July 1936 at San Diego, California.
The 2nd Marine Division was officially organized on February 1, 1941 at Camp Elliott, California by change of designation from the 2nd Marine Brigade.
