Edgar Riley Johnson
PFC Edgar R. Johnson served with Love Company, Third Battalion, 2nd Marines.
He was reported missing in action at Betio, Tarawa atoll, on 20 November 1943.
Branch
Marine Corps Reserve
Service Number 431542
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
This case is under Active Pursuit by the DPAA.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
February 21, 1921
at Lexington, KY
Parents
Edgar Richard Johnson
Ethel (Fain) Johnson (d. 1935)
Education
Lafayette High School
Occupation & Employer
United Service Company
Service Life
Entered Service
28 August 1942
at Lexington, KY
Home Of Record
115 Thompson Road
Lexington, KY
Next Of Kin
Father, Mr. Edgar R. Johnson
Military Specialty
—
Primary Unit
L/3/2nd Marines
Campaigns Served
Tarawa
Individual Decorations
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
Prior to joining L/3/2, Johnson qualified as a tank mechanic.
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
PFC Edgar Johnson served with Love Company, 2nd Marines during the battle of Tarawa.
On 20 November 1943, Johnson’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 a
“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.
Love Company, designated as the battalion reserve and embarked in boats instead of tractors, faced an especially horrific ordeal. “LCVs grounded on the reef about 500 yards from the beach and [the men] disembarked into the water,” states the battalion report. “They were heavily hit both by machine gun and large caliber fire while in the water. Most of the fire came from the left, so as a consequence , the company landed on the right half of Beach Red 1. The casualties to this company at this time amounted to about 35%.”
PFC Johnson was last seen alive during this landing operation. He was reported as missing in action after the battle; several weeks later, when it was clear he could not have survived, his status was changed to killed in action as of 20 November. Further details of his death are not known.
Burial Information or Disposition
None recorded; reported as missing in action, and no identifiable remains were recovered.
A memorial marker was erected in Cemetery 33, Grave 7, Row 1, Plot 9.
Next Of Kin Address
Address of father, Mr. Edgar Johnson.
Location Of Loss
Johnson’s battalion was engaged in the vicinity of Beach Red One.