Jack Alvin Mathew
Private Jack A. Mathew served with Charlie Company, First Battalion, 8th Marines.
He was reported missing in action at Betio, Tarawa atoll, on 21 November 1943.
Branch
Marine Corps Reserve
Service Number 350034
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
This case is under Active Pursuit by the DPAA.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
January 14, 1923
at Columbus, OH
Parents
Dr. Floyd Alvin Mathew
Ellen Elizabeth (Bean) Mathew
Education
Redlands High School (ex-1942)
Occupation & Employer
Laborer
Service Life
Entered Service
January 9, 1942
at Los Angeles, CA
Home Of Record
Redlands, CA
Next Of Kin
Mother, Mrs. Ellen Mathew
Military Specialty
—
Primary Unit
C/1/8th Marines
Campaigns Served
Tarawa
Individual Decorations
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
Private Mathew was charged with desertion on two separate occasions. His sentence was suspended on the condition that he be sent to a combat unit.
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
Private Jack Mathew served with Charlie Company, 8th Marines, during the battle for Tarawa.
At midday on 20 November 1943, BLT 1-8 climbed over the sides of their transport ships and boarded LCVPs in Tarawa lagoon. They anticipated imminent landing orders, but due to the desperate situation on the beach were held offshore in their little boats, bobbing in the waves for the rest of the day and a very long night. Early on 21 November, they were ordered to land on Betio’s Beach Red 2.
At 0615, the first waves of 1-8 rushed down the ramps and into the breaking surf on a coral reef some 500 yards from shore. Although friendly troops held the water’s edge, they “immediately came under heavy machine gun fire from both flanks.” The battalion was decimated on the long walk to shore. An action report penned by the 8th Marines noted that “many of the casualties resulted from drowning, due to the heavy packs and equipment men attempted to take across the submerged fringing reef.”
Private Mathew was last seen alive during the landing operation. According to a letter later received by his parents, Mathew was slightly wounded while coming ashore and evacuated to a hospital ship for treatment. “He insisted that his wounds were not serious… and on his second trip to the island was killed.”
When the battle ended, Private Mathew was officially noted as “missing in action” – a status that was soon amended to “killed in action.”
Burial Information or Disposition
None recorded; reported as missing in action.
A memorial marker was erected in Cemetery 33, Plot 2, Row 1, Grave 1.
Next Of Kin Address
Address of mother, Mrs. Ellen Mathew.
Floyd Mathew was a well-known veterinarian who ran a Redlands animal clinic.
Location Of Loss
Private Mathew’s battalion landed in the vicinity of Beach Red 2, Betio.
