Camille Thomas Ver Vaecke, Jr.
PFC Camille T. “Bud” Ver Vaecke served with How Company, Second Battalion, 2nd Marines.
He was reported missing in action at Betio, Tarawa atoll, on 20 November 1943.
Branch
Marine Corps Reserve
Service Number 336524
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
This case is under Active Pursuit by the DPAA.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
October 21, 1917
at Detroit, MI
Parents
Camille Ver Vaecke, Sr.
Elizabeth (Danneels) Ver Vaecke
Education
St. Ambrose High School
Occupation & Employer
US Army (Coast Artillery)
1937 –1941
Service Life
Entered Service
December 22, 1941
at Chicago, IL
Home Of Record
1231 Lakepointe
Grosse Pointe, MI
Next Of Kin
Father, Mr. Camille Ver Vaecke, Sr.
Military Specialty
—
Primary Unit
H/2/2nd Marines
Campaigns Served
Guadalcanal
Tarawa
Individual Decorations
Purple Heart (Guadalcanal)
with Gold Star (Tarawa)
Additional Service Details
PFC Ver Vaecke suffered shrapnel wounds to his right arm on Guadalcanal, 13 January 1943.
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
PFC Camille Ver Vaecke served with Company H, 2nd Marines during the Tarawa campaign. His company was armed primarily with water-cooled machine guns and 81mm mortars.
As the heavy weapons outfit of their battalion, How Company’s Marines were attached to different assault units for the 20 November 1943 landings on Betio. Their primary objective was to cross Beach Red 2 and support the advance of rifle platoons advancing towards the airfield. However, furious Japanese opposition destroyed unit cohesion and the gunners wound up fighting where they could, with what weapons they managed to bring ashore.
PFC Ver Vaecke was last seen alive on the day of the landings. He was reported missing in action after the battle; in January 1944, his status was updated to “killed in action.”
Burial Information or Disposition
Because Bud Ver Vaecke’s exact fate was unknown to his unit after the battle, no burial information was entered on his unit’s muster rolls.
A memorial grave was erected at Cemetery 33, Grave 5, Row 2, Plot 3.
Next Of Kin Address
Address of father, Mr. Camille Ver Vaecke, Sr.
Location Of Loss
PFC Ver Vaeke’s company landed on Betio’s Beach Red 2.
