Fernand Joseph Russell
PFC Fernand J. Russell served with Easy Company, Second Battalion, 2nd Marines.
He was killed in action at Betio, Tarawa atoll, on 20 November 1943.
Branch
Marine Corps Reserve
Service Number 483960
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
This case is under Active Pursuit by the DPAA.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
December 22, 1923
at Van Buren, ME
Parents
Peter Joseph Russell
Louise Marie Russell
Education
Through ninth grade
Details unknown
Occupation & Employer
Weaver
American Woolen Company
Service Life
Entered Service
November 2, 1942
at Augusta, ME
Home Of Record
RFD 3
Waterville, ME
Next Of Kin
Mother, Mrs. Louise Russell
Military Specialty
—
Primary Unit
E/2/2nd Marines
Campaigns Served
Tarawa
Individual Decorations
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
—
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
PFC Fernand Russell served with Easy Company, 2nd Marines during the battle of Tarawa. On 20 November 1943, his battalion was tasked with spearheading the assault on a stretch of sand called Beach Red Two. Easy Company was to land on the western half of the beach, but on the way to shore their LVTs were subjected to withering fire from the Japanese defenses, and the unit’s organization disintegrated. Casualties were extremely heavy; of 165 Easy Company men who went into action, 62 were killed and scores more were wounded over the course of the battle.
“Fern” Russell was reported as killed in action by gunshot wounds on 20 November. No further details of his fate are currently known.
Burial Information or Disposition
No information recorded; disposition not known.
A memorial marker was erected in Cemetery 11, Grave 9, Row 3, Plot 6.
Next Of Kin Address
Address of mother, Mrs. Louise M. Russell.
Location Of Loss
PFC Russell was killed in action at an unspecified location on Betio.
!["He might have been wounded loosing [sic] both arms and the shock would have made him loose [sic] his memory." Confronted with the news that Fernand's body could not be found, Louise argued that he might be alive somewhere.](https://i0.wp.com/missingmarines.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/russell_fj_motherletter_march1947.jpg?fit=2481%2C900&ssl=1){kind=link}
