Donald Edward Falls
Private Donald E. Falls served with Charlie Company, 10th Amphibian Tractor Battalion.
He was reported missing in action at Ennubirr (Allen Island), Kwajalein atoll, on 31 January 1944.
Branch
Marine Corps Reserve
Service Number 489432
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
The DPAA has not publicized this information.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
March 21, 1923
at Pierre, SD
Parents
Thomas Fuller Falls
Mary Ann (Shannon) Falls
Education
Muncy High School
Occupation & Employer
Carey-McFall Company
Service Life
Entered Service
November 7, 1942
at Philadelphia, PA
Home Of Record
Picture Rocks, PA
Next Of Kin
Mother, Mrs. Mary Falls
Military Specialty
Amphibian tractor crewman
Primary Unit
10th Amphtac Bn. (Co. C)
Campaigns Served
Marshall Islands / North Kwajalein
Individual Decorations
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
—
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
Private Donald Falls was an amphibian tractor crewman who trained at Dunedin, Florida and with the nascent 4th Marine Division at Camp Lejeune and Camp Pendleton. During “Operation Flintlock,” his Company C was tasked with landing the Second Battalion, 25th Marines on Ennubirr (codenamed Allen Island) at 1130 hours, but operational struggles and heavy surf conditions delayed the actual landings until 1500. Little Japanese resistance was encountered on Ennubirr, but several vehicles overturned in the surf or sank offshore.
Private Falls was reported as “missing in action near Ivan Island, Kwajalein atoll” on 31 January, and ultimately declared dead on 1 February 1945. While no specifics of his death are currently known, it is almost certain that he drowned in the lagoon, possibly when an LVT sank.
Burial Information or Disposition
None; remains not recovered.
Memorials
Next Of Kin Address
Address of parents, Fuller & Mary Falls.
Location Of Loss
Private Falls was lost in the vicinity of Ennubirr, Kwajalein Atoll.
