Chester Walter Kaput
PFC Chester W. Kaput served with Mike Company, Third Battalion, 2nd Marines.
He was reported missing in action at Betio, Tarawa atoll, on 20 November 1943.
Branch
Marine Corps Regular
Service Number 367679
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
This case is under Active Pursuit by the DPAA.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
January 14, 1925
at Detroit, MI
Parents
Walter Kaput
Anna Kaput
Education
Details unknown
Occupation & Employer
Details unknown
Service Life
Entered Service
March 5, 1952
at Detroit, MI
Home Of Record
3351 Denton Street
Hamtramck, MI
Next Of Kin
Mother, Mrs. Anna Kaput
Military Specialty
—
Primary Unit
M/3/2nd Marines
Campaigns Served
Solomon Islands / Guadalcanal
Tarawa
Individual Decorations
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
—
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
PFC Chester Kaput served with Mike Company, the heavy weapons unit of the Third Battalion, 2nd Marines. His outfit was armed with 81mm mortars and water-cooled .30 caliber machine guns.
On 20 November 1943, Kaput’s battalion was assigned the task of spearheading the assault on Betio’s Beach Red One – a curved stretch of sand running several hundred yards from the “bird’s beak” in the west to Red Two in the east. The natural shape of the beach created a crossfire for the defenders, and the area became known as “the Pocket.” Slow-moving landing craft were quickly targeted from multiple angles, and many were knocked out as they approached the shore. Hundreds of men were killed or wounded before stepping foot on dry land. Those who survived faced a network of obstacles manned by determined Japanese defenders, and the fighting was close-in and savage.
PFC Kaput was reported missing on 20 November, either during the landing or shortly after coming ashore. No further reports of his disposition ever arrived, and in January 1944 his status was changed to killed in action.
Burial Information or Disposition
None reported; identifiable remains not recovered.
A memorial marker was erected in Cemetery 33, Plot 6, Row 2, Grave 6.
Next Of Kin Address
Address of mother, Mrs. Anna Kaput.
Location Of Loss
PFC Kaput’s battalion was engaged in the vicinity of Beach Red One.
