Elmer Edward Paner
Private Elmer E. Paner 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 521779
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
This case is under Active Pursuit by the DPAA.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
May 10, 1921
at Detroit, MI
Parents
Elmer Frederick Paner
Rose M. Paner
Education
Denby High School (1939)
Occupation & Employer
Paner-Davies Company
(Family business)
Service Life
Entered Service
December 15, 1942
at Detroit, MI
Home Of Record
10297 East Outer Drive
Detroit, MI
Next Of Kin
Mother, Mrs. Rose M. Paner
Military Specialty
—
Primary Unit
L/3/2nd Marines
Campaigns Served
Tarawa
Individual Decorations
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
—
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
Private Elmer Paner served with Company L, 2nd Marines during the battle of Tarawa.
On 20 November 1943, Private Paner’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 as “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%.”
Elmer Paner was one who fell; he suffered a gunshot wound in the chest and received preliminary medical treatment on the beach. Hospital corpsmen tagged him for evacuation and instructed Paner to make his way back to a transport by any means necessary. This was the last time anyone would see him alive.
Burial Information or Disposition
Private Paner was presumed to have been evacuated from Betio to a transport ship, and then to a rear-area hospital. This information was recorded on his military paperwork, and his family was notified by telegram. A Detroit newspaper reported Paner’s status to concerned friends.
As weeks and months passed without further word of Paner’s progress or whereabouts, the Marine Corps launched an investigation into his whereabouts – and only then was it discovered that he was not on the rolls of any medical facility. In fact, nobody could confirm whether he had ever escaped Betio at all. Elmer Paner was re-designated as missing in action; on 21 November 1944, in accordance with official policy, he was declared dead
Next Of Kin Address
Address of mother, Mrs. Rose Paner.
Location Of Loss
Private Paner’s battalion was engaged in the vicinity of Beach Red One.
