Criss Reece
Sergeant Criss Reece served with Charlie Company, First Battalion, 8th Marines.
He was killed in action at Betio, Tarawa atoll, on 21 November 1943.
Branch
Marine Corps Regular
Service Number 295198
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
This case is under Active Pursuit by the DPAA.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
February 17, 1920
at Estill County, KY
Parents
David Reece
Carrie (Tipton) Reece
Education
Grammar school
Occupation & Employer
Laborer
Civilian Conservation Corps
Service Life
Entered Service
August 29, 1940
at Salt Lake City, OH
Home Of Record
Hooven, OH
Next Of Kin
Mother, Mrs. Carrie Reece
Military Specialty
—
Primary Unit
C/1/8th Marines
Campaigns Served
Guadalcanal
Tarawa
Individual Decorations
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
—
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
Sergeant Criss Reece served with Charlie Company, 8th Marines, for nearly three years – including pre-war deployments, the campaign for Guadalcanal, and the battle of Tarawa.
At midday on 20 November 1943, BLT 1-8 climbed over the sides of their transport ships and boarded LCVPs in Tarawa lagoon. They anticipated imminent landing orders, but due to the desperate situation on the beach were held offshore in their little boats, bobbing in the waves for the rest of the day and a very long night. Early on 21 November, they were ordered to land on Betio’s Beach Red 2.
At 0615, the first waves of 1-8 rushed down the ramps and into the breaking surf on a coral reef some 500 yards from shore. Although friendly troops held the water’s edge, they “immediately came under heavy machine gun fire from both flanks.” The battalion was decimated on the long walk to shore. An action report penned by the 8th Marines noted that “many of the casualties resulted from drowning, due to the heavy packs and equipment men attempted to take across the submerged fringing reef.”
Sergeant Reece was killed in action during the landing operation; the official cause of death was noted as “gunshot wounds, head.” Although his death was confirmed by company officers, no specific location or burial information was recorded.
Burial Information or Disposition
“In Division Cemetery, grave unknown.” Also listed as “body not recovered.”
A memorial marker was erected in Cemetery 11, Plot 2, Row 3, Grave 8.
Next Of Kin Address
Address of mother, Mrs. Carrie Reece.
Location Of Loss
Sergeant Reece’s battalion landed in the vicinity of Beach Red 2, Betio.