Howard Fletemeyer
PFC Howard Fletemeyer served with Headquarters Company, First Battalion, 22nd Marines.
He was reported missing in action at Parry Island, Eniwetok atoll, on 22 February 1944.
Branch
Marine Corps Regular
Service Number 805042
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
The DPAA has not publicized this information.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
January 13, 1924
at Maspeth, NY
Parents
William Fred Fletemeyer
Anna (Beckey) Fletemeyer
Education
Details unknown
Occupation & Employer
Wallace & Tiernan Company
Service Life
Entered Service
February 4, 1943
at New York, NY
Home Of Record
226 West 17th Street
New York, NY
Next Of Kin
Parents, William & Anna Fletemeyer
Military Specialty
Communications
Primary Unit
HQ/1/22nd Marines
Campaigns Served
Marshall Islands / Engebi, Parry
Individual Decorations
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
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Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
PFC Howard Fletemeyer, a communications specialist serving with the First Battalion, 24th Marines, made his first combat landing on the island of Engebi, Eniwetok atoll, on 18 February 1944. The island was secured after a short but bloody fight, and the assault Marines returned to their transports for their next assignment as their Third Battalion supported Army troops on Eniwetok Island. Four days later, on 22 February, the complete 22nd Marines landed on the last of the atoll’s major islands: Parry, codenamed “Heartstrings.”
Fletemeyer made the landing with one of the battalion’s rifle companies, and was last seen advancing into an area that was shortly blanketed by explosions. His USMC casualty card provides an unusually detailed account of the event.
Howard was attached to an assault group for the attack on Parry Island. The group to which Howard was attached has been questioned, also members of his parent company & the last report of Howard's presence has been determined as he, with the group to which he was attached, moved over the crest of a sand dune. At this time considerable enemy fire was directed at this group & under such conditions the men cannot often remember just who is who by name that are near them. There were several large explosions in this particular area & Howard might have been killed by one & left in a condition impossible for identification.
The tiny island was so obscured by smoke and dust that American artillery and naval fire support was mistakenly called down on Marine lines. Since the Japanese garrison on Parry had no heavy artillery, it is possible that the explosions were caused by friendly fire.
Burial Information or Disposition
When Fletemeyer failed to return to his company after the fight for Parry, he was reported as missing in action. Although interviews with survivors suggested he had been killed in action, no eyewitnesses could confirm the fact. He was carried on Marine Corps muster rolls until 23 February 1945, when he was officially declared dead.
Memorials
Next Of Kin Address
Address of parents, William & Anna Fletemeyer.
Location Of Loss
PFC Fletemeyer was last seen at Parry (Medren), Eniwetok (Enewetak) Atoll, Marshall Islands.