Edward Charles Hennessey
First Lieutenant Edward C. “Spike” Hennessey served as the operations officer of the 2nd Tank Battalion.
He was killed in action at Betio, Tarawa atoll, on 20 November 1943.
Branch
Marine Corps Regular
Service Number O-9192
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
This case is under Active Pursuit by the DPAA.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
October 2, 1905
at Kansas City, MO
Parents
Names unknown
Education
Details unknown
Occupation & Employer
Career Marine
Service Life
Entered Service
November 3, 1921 (enlisted)
July 15, 1942 (commission)
Home Of Record
3356 Broadway
Sacramento, CA
Next Of Kin
Wife, Mrs. Vivian E. Hennessey
Military Specialty
Operations Officer (Bn-3)
Primary Unit
2nd Tank Battalion
H&S Company
Campaigns Served
Tarawa
Individual Decorations
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
Hennessey previously served in China and Iceland, and as skipper of Company A, 2nd Tank Battalion.
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
First Lieutenant Edward “Spike” Hennessey – a long-serving Marine “mustang” who earned his commission up from the ranks – served as the operations officer for the 2nd Tank Battalion during Operation GALVANIC.
At some point during the landings at Betio on 20 November 1943, Hennessey was struck in the chest by shrapnel. The wounds proved fatal; no further details of his death or the disposition of his remains are known.
Burial Information or Disposition
None reported; identifiable remains not recovered.
A memorial marker was erected in Cemetery 33, Plot 16, Row 3, Grave 8.
Next Of Kin Address
Address of wife, Mrs. Vivian E. Hennessey.
Location Of Loss
Lieutenant Hennessey was killed in action at an unspecified location on Betio.
