George Henry Payne
PFC George H. Payne served with Easy Company, Second Battalion, 8th Marines.
He was killed in action at Guadalcanal on 18 November 1942.
Branch
Marine Corps Reserve
Service Number 312118
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
The DPAA has not publicized this information.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
September 9, 1923
in Terre Haute, IN
Parents
Henry Clay Payne (d. 1936)
Ida Stephanie (Mensch) Payne
Education
Gerstmeyer Technical High School
Occupation & Employer
Civilian Conservation Corps
Service Life
Entered Service
August 6, 1941
at Indianapolis, IN
Home Of Record
43 North 11th Street
Terre Haute, IN
Next Of Kin
Mother, Mrs. Ida Payne
Military Specialty
—
Individual Decorations
Purple Heart
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
On 18 November 1942, the 182nd Infantry crossed Guadalcanal’s Matanikau River and advanced cautiously westward, hoping to establish a new main defensive line near Point Cruz. The 8th Marines were assigned to lead the way and protect the Army’s flanks, and sent out a series of combat patrols to investigate possible sources of resistance.
At 1400 hours, a report reached the 8th Marines’ command post. “2-8 patrol at (69.7-199.85) ran into Jap MG nest. Patrol had one man killed, name: PAYNE, Co. ‘E.’ Patrol put MG out and believe they got 4 Japs.” A few hours later, the battalion clarified “PFC PAYNE, 312118, George H. USMC killed while on patrol this date.” Payne was the first man from the Second Battalion, 8th Marines killed in action during World War II.
The patrol had to continue its assigned route and was unable to bring Payne’s body back to the lines. At first, he was reported as “body not recovered,” but subsequent records indicate that he was buried in the field by a party led by Gunnery Sergeant Roderick Pace.
Burial Information or Disposition
Payne was buried in an isolated grave on Guadalcanal, at coordinates 70.1-200.3 on the standard Map 104. No official sources suggest he was retrieved at a later date. However, at least two servicemen reported seeing his grave, and said as much to Mrs. Ida Payne. She was understandably distressed by the notice from HQ USMC stating that her son’s remains could not be found, but all her inquiries proved fruitless. Two other Marines with similar names were buried in the Guadalcanal cemetery (PFC Calvin Royal Payne and PFC George Payne Clark). The witnesses may have mistaken one of these graves for that of George H. Payne.
In August 1947, a Graves Registration Service investigating several sites as part of “Case 716” specifically searched coordinates 70.1-200.3, noting the location lay on a “long grassy ridge.” Unfortunately, they were unable to find any remains in the vicinity.
Memorials
Next Of Kin Address
Address of mother, Mrs. Ida Payne.
Location Of Loss
Approximate location of Payne’s field burial, now part of Honiara.
