Bernard Jack Fein
PFC Bernard J. “Bernie” Fein served with Able Company, Second Amphibian Tractor Battalion.
He was killed in action at Betio, Tarawa atoll, on 20 November 1943.
Branch
Marine Corps Reserve
Service Number 530619
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
This case is under Active Pursuit by the DPAA.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
June 7, 1924
at Philadelphia, PA
Parents
Morris & Mary Fein
Education
Details unknown
Occupation & Employer
Sun Shipbuilding Company
Service Life
Entered Service
December 15, 1942
at Philadelphia, PA
Home Of Record
2335 North 30th Street
Philadelphia, PA
Next Of Kin
Mother, Mrs. Mary Fein
Military Specialty
Amphibious tractor crewman
Primary Unit
A/2nd Amphtrac Bn.
Campaigns Served
Tarawa
Individual Decorations
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
Assigned duty with “A-1” Company, specializing in LVT-2 vehicles.
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
PFC Fein served as an amphibian tractor crewman during the assault on Betio, Tarawa atoll. His vehicle, a new LVT-2 “Buffalo” model, carried troops of 2/2nd Marines from the USS Zeilin to land on Beach Red 2.
The slow-moving, lightly-armored LVT units suffered tremendous losses during the landings – both in vehicles and men. PFC Fein was one of the casualties; he was killed in action when a mortar shell struck his vehicle.
Burial Information or Disposition
Anonymous sources claim to have witnessed PFC Fein’s body “in the driver’s seat of an amphibian tractor which had been hit by a shell at the water’s edge” and later “laid out with a group of other dead preliminary to burial.” No further burial information was recorded.
A memorial marker was erected in Cemetery 33, Grave 10, Row 1, Plot 8.
Next Of Kin Address
Address of mother, Mrs. Mary Fein
Location Of Loss
PFC Fein’s unit was engaged in landing operations on Betio’s Beach Red 2
