Elmore Frank Yokom
Sergeant Elmore F. Yokom served with Mike 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 340014
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
This case is under Active Pursuit by the DPAA.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
August 23, 1920
at Rocky Point, WY
Parents
Harvey E. Yokum
Bessie (Kruntorad) Yokum
Education
High school graduate
Occupation & Employer
Drug Store Clerk
Service Life
Entered Service
December 23, 1941
at Denver, CO
Home Of Record
Gillette, WY
Next Of Kin
Mother, Mrs. Bessie Yokom
Military Specialty
—
Primary Unit
M/3/2nd Marines
Campaigns Served
Solomon Islands / Guadalcanal
Tarawa
Individual Decorations
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
—
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
Sergeant Elmore Yokom served with Mike Company, the heavy weapons unit of the Third Battalion, 2nd Marines. His outfit was armed with 81mm mortars and water-cooled .30 caliber machine guns.
On 20 November 1943, Yokom’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.
Sergeant Yokom was reported missing on 20 November, either during the landing or shortly after coming ashore. No further reports of his disposition ever arrived, and in January 1944 his status was changed to killed in action.
Burial Information or Disposition
None reported; identifiable remains not recovered.
A memorial marker was erected in Cemetery 33, Plot 2, Row 3, Grave 10.
Next Of Kin Address
Address of mother, Mrs. Bessie Yokom.
Location Of Loss
Sergeant Yokom’s battalion was engaged in the vicinity of Beach Red One.
