Gilbert Norman Vitatoe
Private Gilbert N. “Pete” Vitatoe served with Fox Company, Second Battalion, 8th Marines.
He was killed in action at Guadalcanal on 22 November 1942.
Branch
Marine Corps Reserve
Service Number 364027
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
The DPAA has not publicized this information.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
March 23, 1924
in Allock, KY
Parents
Luther Owen Vitatoe
Lenora “Nora” (Heath) Vitatoe
Education
Details unknown
Occupation & Employer
Details unknown
Service Life
Entered Service
January 22, 1942
at Louisville, KY
Home Of Record
Allock, KY
Next Of Kin
Father, Mr. Luther Vitatoe
Military Specialty
—
Individual Decorations
Purple Heart
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
On 22 November 1942, units of the 164th and 182nd Infantry Regiments – part of the Army’s Americal Division – launched an assault against well-entrenched Japanese forces in the hills west of Guadalcanal’s Matanikau River. At the same time, three companies of 2/8th Marines – Fox, George, and Headquarters – crossed the river and gathered in assembly areas behind the Army. As the attack failed to make any headway, the Marines were notified that they would take the lead on the following day.
Fox Company started their attack at 0625 on 23 November, but “was unable to advance across the Line of Departure because of intense machine gun fire which swept the ridge.” The same fortifications that held up the Army took a fearsome toll on the Marines. Commanders issued orders to dig in along the line, and the assault was abandoned in favor of combat patrols.
Private Gilbert N. Vitatoe – who went by “Norman” or “Pete” – was one of ten Fox Company Marines reported as killed in action on 22 November 1942. However, regimental reports don’t report any significant enemy contacts for the company on that date, as they were being held in an assembly area behind the lines. Oddly, the same company reported no KIAs on 23 November – the day they were subjected to such heavy fire. It is possible, though not confirmed, that a clerical error caused these Marines to be incorrectly listed as killed on 22 November.
Vitatoe’s death was simply attributed to “enemy gunfire.” No further specifics are currently known.
Burial Information or Disposition
Vitatoe was reportedly buried in the field at coordinates (69.45-199.7) on the standard Map 104 of Guadalcanal’s north coast, and he was not alone. Of the eleven Fox Company Marines killed during the November operation, nine were buried at this location – which the unit dubbed “Darkest Valley” – west of the Matanikau. None have ever been recovered or identified.
Memorials
Next Of Kin Address
Address of father, Mr. Luther Vitatoe.
Location Of Loss
Approximate location of the F/2/8 cemetery, now part of Honiara.
