This Military Service Page was created/owned by
CWO3 Manuel (Manny) Vizinho
to remember
Marine 1stSgt Orvan Samuel Slaughter.
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.
Tablets of the Missing at Honolulu Memorial. In these gardens are recorded the names of Americans who gave their lives in the service of their Country and whose final resting place is known only to God.
Other Comments:
Navy Cross The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to First Sergeant Orvan S. Slaughter (MCSN: 248692), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving as First Sergeant of an assault company attached to the Second Battalion, Second Marines, SECOND Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces at Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll, Gilbert Islands, on 22 November 1943. Voluntarily assuming command when the officers of his company became casualties, First Sergeant Slaughter courageously led his men forward under a constant barrage of enemy shellfire and successfully destroyed three Japanese pillboxes obstructing their advance before he himself was killed. His prompt decision, daring aggressiveness and heroic self-sacrifice in the face of grave peril directly contributed to the success of our forces in that area and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country. General Orders: Authority: Board of Awards: Serial 917 (March 24, 1944) Action Date: 22-Nov-43
Central Pacific Campaign (1941-43)/Battle of Tarawa
From Month/Year
November / 1943
To Month/Year
November / 1943
Description The Battle of Tarawa (US code name Operation Galvanic) was a battle in the Pacific Theater of World War II, fought from November 20 to November 23, 1943. It took place at the Tarawa Atoll in the Gilbert Islands, located in what is now the nation of Kiribati. Nearly 6,400 Japanese, Koreans, and Americans died in the fighting, mostly on and around the small island of Betio.
The Battle of Tarawa was the first American offensive in the critical central Pacific region. It was also the first time in the war that the United States faced serious Japanese opposition to an amphibious landing. Previous landings met little or no initial resistance, but this time the 4,500 Japanese defenders were well-supplied and well-prepared, and they fought almost to the last man, exacting a heavy toll on the United States Marine Corps. The US had suffered similar casualties in other campaigns, for example over the six months of the Guadalcanal Campaign, but in this case the losses were incurred within the space of 76 hours.
