James Clark Sanders
PFC James C. Sanders served with Baker Company, First Battalion, 8th Marines.
He was killed in action at Betio, Tarawa atoll, on 21 November 1943.
Branch
Marine Corps Regular
Service Number 832712
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
This case is under Active Pursuit by the DPAA.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
May 22, 1924
at Detroit, MI
Parents
Clark Henry Sanders
Luella (Eberts) Sanders
Education
Southwestern High School (1943)
Occupation & Employer
Enlisted from high school
Service Life
Entered Service
February 26, 1943
at Detroit, MI
Home Of Record
3388 Dartmouth Street
Detroit, MI
Next Of Kin
Father, Mr. Clark Sanders
Military Specialty
60mm mortar crewman
Primary Unit
B/1/8th Marines
Campaigns Served
Tarawa
Individual Decorations
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
—
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
PFC James Sanders served with Company B, First Battalion, 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.”
James Sanders was one of those who fell during the landing operation. Although his death was confirmed by company officers after the battle, no specifics are currently known.
Burial Information or Disposition
“In Division Cemetery, grave unknown.” Also listed as “body not recovered.”
A memorial marker was erected in Cemetery 11, Plot 3, Row 3, Grave 3
Next Of Kin Address
Address of father, Mr. Clark Sanders.
Location Of Loss
PFC Sanders’ battalion landed in the vicinity of Beach Red 2, Betio.
