Clarence Bernard Belter
PFC Clarence B. Belter served with Able Company, Second Amphibian Tractor Battalion.
He was reported missing in action at Betio, Tarawa atoll, on 20 November 1943.
Branch
Marine Corps Regular
Service Number 319083
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
This case is under Active Pursuit by the DPAA.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
May 31, 1924
at Milwaukee, WI
Parents
Edward Belter (d.1932)
Gladys Molly Belter
Education
Boys Technology & Trade High School (through 1941)
Occupation & Employer
Other
Enlisted in USMC age 17, out of high school.
Service Life
Entered Service
September 8, 1941
at Milwaukee, WI
Home Of Record
3461 South Alabama Avenue
Milwaukee, WI
Next Of Kin
Mother, Mrs. Gladys Belter
Military Specialty
Amphibious Tractor Crewman
Primary Unit
A/2nd Amphtrac Bn.
Campaigns Served
Tarawa
Individual Decorations
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
Previous service with 2nd Tank Battalion; joined Amphtracs on October 12, 1943.
Assigned duty with “A-1” Company, specializing in LVT-2 vehicles.
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
PFC Belter 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 Belter was one of the casualties; he was reported missing in action after the battle, and later declared dead as of 20 November 1943.
Investigative work by Jim Hildebrand of Tarawa1943 suggests that PFC Belter was aboard an an LVT-2 that struck a mine off of Green Beach. This vehicle was delivering ammunition to troops of the 6th Marines on the night of 21 November 1943, and may have been crewed by Belter, Corporal Milton M. Beck, and Pvt. Angelo M. Vellucci.
For more information, read Hildebrand’s article “The Green Beach LVT Mystery.”
Burial Information or Disposition
Burial information not known – remains not recovered. If Belter was in fact killed in action near Green Beach, he may have been buried in the field by a shore party from the USS Ormsby.
A memorial marker was erected in Cemetery 33, Grave 15, Row 3, Plot 2.
Next Of Kin Address
Address of mother, Mrs. Gladys M. Belter
Location Of Loss
PFC Belter’s unit was assigned to land on Beach Red 2
