George Harry Traver
PFC George H. Traver served with King Company, Third Battalion, 8th Marines.
He was killed in action at the battle of Tarawa on 20 November 1943.
Branch
Marine Corps Reserve
Service Number 369269
Current Status
Accounted For
as of 22 February 2016
Recovery Organization
History Flight 2015 Expedition
Read DPAA Press Release
History
[Biography coming soon]
Decorations
Purple Heart
For wounds suffered in action on Guadalcanal,
12 November 1942
Gold Star Device
(Second Purple Heart)
For wounds resulting in his death, 20 November 1943.
Next Of Kin Address
Address of parents, Charles & Nellie Traver.
Location Of Loss
Traver’s battalion landed at various locations between Beach Red 2 and Red 3.
Gallery
Private Traver during boot camp, 1942.
George Traver in his winter service uniform, c. 1942/
20 November 1943: reinforcing waves of Marines watch the smoke-shrouded shore of Betio from their Higgins boat.
The remnants of an ammunition storehouse became a waypoint for many BLT 3-8 Marines on 20 November 1943.
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.
Personal letters to the Traver family. Author photo.
A Traver family keepsake box, decorated with ephemera from George's time in the Marine Corps. Author photo.
Traver's original Purple Heart, with Gold Star device indicating two awards. Author photo.
Marines carry George Traver's remains from a hearse during his burial at Chatham Cemetery, 2016. Author photo.
A spectator reads Traver's headstone following a graveside service for the returned Marine. Author photo.
Betio Casualties From This Company
(Recently accounted for or still non-recovered)
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