Elmer Lewis Mathies, Jr.
PFC Elmer L. “Rabbit” Mathies, Jr. served with Headquarters Company, Second Battalion, 8th Marines.
He was killed in action at the battle of Tarawa on 20 November 1943.
Branch
Marine Corps Reserve
Service Number 306665
Current Status
Accounted For
as of 29 January 2016
Recovery Organization
History Flight 2015 Expedition
Read DPAA Press Release
History
[Biography Coming Soon]
Decorations
Purple Heart
For wounds resulting in his death in action, 20 November 1943.
Next Of Kin Address
Address of mother, Mrs. Eunice Mathies.
Location Of Loss
Mathies’ battalion landed on and fought in the vicinity of Beach Red 3.
Gallery
Mathies (center) with two young relatives before the war.
Mathies (left) with a buddy in New Zealand, 1943.
Red Beach 3, 20 November 1943. Marines retrieve ammunition and supplies from the dead. Official USMC photo.
Marine switchboard operators on Tarawa. PFC Mathies operated a similar piece of equipment. USMC photo.
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 January 1944.
A memorial cross emplaced at Cemetery 27 after the individual markers were removed. US Navy photo.
Detail of the plaque in front of the memorial cross. US Navy photo.
Betio Casualties From This Company
(Recently accounted for or still non-recovered)
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