Ira Kohler
Private Ira Kohler served with King Company, Third Battalion, 22nd Marines.
He failed to return from a fishing trip near Apia, Samoa, on 30 August 1942.
Branch
Marine Corps Reserve
Service Number 363649
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered​
Pursuit Category
The DPAA has not publicized this information.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
April 9, 1913
at Chicago, IL
Parents
Maurice Kohler (d. 1941)
Bessie (Kovishansky) Kohler
Education
High school graduate
Occupation & Employer
Druggist
Racine Pharmacy
Service Life
Entered Service
February 3, 1942
at Chicago, IL
Home Of Record
3821 Fillmore Street
Chicago, IL
Next Of Kin
Wife, Mrs. Esther Elaine Kohler
Military Specialty
—
Primary Unit
K/3/22nd Marines
Campaigns Served
—
Individual Decorations
—
Additional Service Details
—
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
Private Ira Kohler was a member of K/3/22nd Marines during the occupation of Samoa.
On 30 August 1942, Kohler and Sergeant James Rall obtained permission to go fishing. They borrowed or hired a Samoan outrigger canoe and departed from camp at 2130 hours. The boat was “in a leaky condition,” but the two Marines headed out anyway. They never returned, and nothing more was heard of Rall and Kohler.
Both Marines were declared dead as of 31 August 1943.
Burial Information or Disposition
None; remains not recovered.
Next Of Kin Address
Address of wife, Mrs. Esther Kohler.
Location Of Loss
Rall and Kohler were stationed at Apia at the time of loss. The exact location is not known.
