Herman Eugene Rixstine

Second Lieutenant Herman Rixstine served with Mike Company, the heavy weapons unit of the Third Battalion, 2nd Marines. Rixstine was assigned duty as a company officer in the summer of 1943, and was probably in charge of a platoon. Operation GALVANIC was his first experience leading troops in combat.

On 20 November 1943, Rixstine’s battalion was assigned the task of spearheading the assault on Betio’s Beach Red One – a curved stretch of sand running several hundred yards from the “bird’s beak” in the west to Red Two in the east. The natural shape of the beach created a crossfire for the defenders, and the area became known as “the Pocket.” Slow-moving landing craft were quickly targeted from multiple angles, and many were knocked out as they approached the shore. Hundreds of men were killed or wounded before stepping foot on dry land. Those who survived faced a network of obstacles manned by determined Japanese defenders, and the fighting was close-in and savage.

Lieutenant Rixstine was killed in action on the first day of the battle, either during the landing or shortly after coming ashore. Although his death was confirmed, no specifics were noted in any known source, and his body was not recovered. He was posthumously promoted to the rank of First Lieutenant.