Harold Odeen Ellis
Corporal Harold O. “Snookie” Ellis served with Able Company, 2nd Amphibian Tractor Battalion.
He was reported killed in action at Betio, Tarawa atoll, on 20 November 1943.
Branch
Marine Corps Regular
Service Number 334964
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
This case is under Active Pursuit by the DPAA.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
January 29, 1920
at Austin, TX
Parents
Odeen & Bertha Ellis
Education
Austin High School (1937)
Occupation & Employer
Linotype Operator
Dewitt Nelson Linotype Shop
Service Life
Entered Service
December 16, 1941
at Houston, TX
Home Of Record
3816 Speedway Street
Austin, TX
Next Of Kin
Mother, Mrs. Bertha Ellis
Military Specialty
Amphibian tractor driver
Primary Unit
A/2nd Amphtrac Bn.
Campaigns Served
Guadalcanal
Tarawa
Individual Decorations
Bronze Star
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
Assigned duty with “A-1” Company, specializing in LVT-2 vehicles.
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
Corporal Ellis served as the driver of an amphibian tractor crewman during the assault on Betio, Tarawa atoll. His vehicle, a new LVT-2 “Buffalo” model, was designated as the command tractor for the second wave and carried the battalion commander, Major Henry C. Drewes.
Ellis’ tractor came under heavy fire as it approached Beach Red 2 on 20 November 1943, bearing assault troops of 2/2nd Marines. After landing its human cargo, the LVT made as many as five trips between ships and shore, hauling supplies and evacuating wounded men. Major Drewes was killed on one of these trips, and Corporal Ellis suffered mortal wounds.
Surviving crewmen managed to coax the damaged LVT to the side of LST-243. Major Drewes’ body was brought aboard, but Corporal Ellis could not be extracted from the cab before the LVT sank.
Ellis was awarded a posthumous Bronze Star Medal for valor in action on 20 November 1943.
Burial Information or Disposition
Corporal Ellis’ body was lost at sea when his LVT sank.
A memorial grave was erected in Cemetery 33, Grave 9, Row 1, Plot 8.
Next Of Kin Address
Address of mother, Mrs. Bertha Ellis
Location Of Loss
Corporal Ellis died aboard his LVT offshore of Betio’s Red Beach 2.
