Ellis Kegley
PFC Ellis Kegley served with Able Company, First Battalion, 18th Marines.
He was reported missing in action at Betio, Tarawa atoll, on 25 November 1943.
Branch
Marine Corps Reserve
Service Number 465584
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
This case is under Active Pursuit by the DPAA.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
10 January 1920
at Davy, WV
Parents
Ellis & Ruth Kegley
Education
Through grade 7; details unknown
Occupation & Employer
Miner
American Coal Company
Other
Married Ruby Rae Hilmon on 29 July 1939
Service Life
Entered Service
4 November 1942
at Charleston, WV
Home Of Record
Widemouth, WV
Next Of Kin
Wife, Mrs. Ruby R. Kegley
Military Specialty
Engineer
Primary Unit
18th Marines (A/1)
Campaigns Served
Tarawa
Individual Decorations
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
—
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
PFC Ellis Kegley landed on Betio, Tarawa atoll, with his company on 20 November 1943. Five days later, when the engineers had a chance to take a roll call, it was discovered that he was missing in action.
When Kegley’s mother wrote to request more information, Captain D. C. Carr of A/1/18th Marines responded:
Ellis landed in the assault wave on Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll, Gilbert Islands on November 20, 1943. When the landing boat came to the beach, he jumped out of the boat in the midst of enemy machine gun fire. Shortly after, the group Ellis was assigned to reorganized and he was missing. One of his comrades reported he saw someone who looked like him lying on the beach, dead. This identification was not positive, and as the burial parties never did find anyone who could absolutely be identified as Ellis he was officially listed as missing.
When all possible hope for Kegley’s survival faded, the Marine Corps officially fixed his date of death as 25 November 1943. It is not known how exactly he met his fate.
Burial Information or Disposition
No record of burial; disposition of remains unknown.
A memorial marker was placed in Betio Cemetery 33, Grave #10, Row #2, Plot #5.
Next Of Kin Address
Address of wife, Mrs. Ruby Rae Kegley.
Location Of Loss
PFC Kegley was last seen at an unspecified location on Betio Island.
