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Casualty Info
Home Town Magnolia
Last Address Magnolia
Casualty Date Jun 15, 1944
Cause KIA-Died of Wounds
Reason Unknown, Not Reported
Location Saipan
Conflict World War II
Location of Interment Buried at Sea, Pacific Ocean
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.
My Participation in This Battle or Operation
From Month/Year
November / 1943
To Month/Year
November / 1943
Last Updated: Nov 26, 2023
Personal Memories
Memories Pvt Robert K ALLEN (MCSN: 436798) participated in offensive operations on Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll, British Gilbert Islands, as a member of Company E, 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, FMF, In the Field from 20 to 27 November, 1943, when the atoll was declared secure.
