Frank Hein
PFC Frank Hein served with Charlie Company, First Battalion, 2nd Marines.
He was killed in action at Betio, Tarawa atoll, on 22 November 1943.
Branch
Marine Corps Reserve
Service Number 483286
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
This case is under Active Pursuit by the DPAA.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
April 2, 1921
at Reading, PA
Parents
Lawrence George Hein
Frances (Cieniewicz) Hein
Education
Grammar school
Occupation & Employer
Ordnance Inspector
Kelsey-Hayes Wheel Co.
Other
Kelsey-Hayes produced machine guns and tank parts during the war years.
Service Life
Entered Service
November 3, 1942
Home Of Record
Detroit, MI
Next Of Kin
Mother, Mrs. Frances Hein
Military Specialty
—
Primary Unit
C/1/2nd Marines
Campaigns Served
Tarawa
Individual Decorations
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
—
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
PFC Hein served with the First Battalion, 2nd Marines during the assault landings on Betio, Tarawa atoll. On 20 November 1943, his unit was assigned as the regimental reserve for units landing on Beaches Red One and Red Two. The assault waves were subjected to devastating fire from the moment they crossed the island’s coral reef, and suffered heavy casualties while coming ashore and on the beach itself. By 1030, the reserve units were struggling towards the beach themselves and making a tough landing under fire.
Frank Hein survived the devastating landings, and endured terrible combat over the next two days as the survivors of his company advanced across the tiny island. On 22 November 1943, however, he suffered multiple wounds – either from bullets or an exploding shell, depending on the source – which caused his death at the age of twenty-two.
Burial Information or Disposition
PFC Hein’s body was found and buried on 23 November 1943. However, conflicting information about the location marred the recovery of his remains.
The first reports, contained in his battalion muster roll and Marine Corps casualty card, state that he was buried “in the field on Beach Green” with no further specifics.
Later correspondence provided new details: “Buried Isolated Grave, Grid Location KH 213085 Betio.” This same designation was applied to three other men:
PFC Frank E. Childress (M/3/8th Marines)
Pvt. William F. Blevins (C/1/2nd Marines)
PFC Donald E. Ward (B/1/18th Marines)
Markers for these Marines were erected together in a small “beautified” plot, designated as Cemetery 37 (with Childress under an “Unknown” marker). However, Cemetery 37 is a considerable distance – nearly 2/3 mile – from the reported grid location.
In 1946, the 604th Quartermaster Graves Registration Company located and identified the remains of Ward and Blevins. Childress was also recovered; he was temporarily designated “Unknown X-207” but identified at the Central Identification Laboratory, Hawaii (CIHL) in 1947.
It is not clear if Frank Hein’s remains were recovered along with the others; if they were, he has not yet been accounted for. It is possible that he was one of the Marines buried in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, and now awaiting identification.
Next Of Kin Address
Address of mother, Mrs. Frances Hein.
Location Of Loss
PFC Hein was killed in action at an unspecified location on Betio.
