James Everett Gilless
PFC James E. Gilless served with Able Company, First Battalion, 1st Marine Parachute Regiment.
He was reported missing in action at Koiari, Bougainville, on 29 November 1943.
Branch
Marine Corps Regular
Service Number 335371
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered.
Pursuit Category
The DPAA has not publicized this information.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
October 10, 1924
at Luxora, AR
Parents
Joseph Gilless
Lillian May (Lewis) Gilless
Education
Luxora Consolidated School
Occupation & Employer
Student
Service Life
Entered Service
January 13, 1942
at Little Rock, AR
Home Of Record
Luxora, AR
Next Of Kin
Mother, Mrs. May Gilless
Military Specialty
Parachutist
Primary Unit
A/1st Paramarines
Campaigns Served
Bougainville
Individual Decorations
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
—
Note: some online sources claim that Gilless received the Silver Star Medal, but no citation has been located.
Please contact Missing Marines with any additional information
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
At 0300 on 29 November 1943, PFC James Gilless and his comrades in the First Parachute Battalion boarded landing craft from a Bougainville beach and set off for what they hoped would be a surprise amphibious assault on the Japanese rear.
The Marines planned to storm ashore near Koiari and establish a temporary base, from which they could conduct raids against Japanese communications, supplies, and artillery positions. Unfortunately, they landed in the middle of a well-guarded supply depot and the Japanese responded with overwhelming force. The Marines made a little headway but were outnumbered and outgunned from the outset. Casualties quickly began to mount. Among them was PFC Gillis, who was shot in the left thigh during the morning’s action.
Fighting raged for the rest of the day; by afternoon, the Marines realized that they were not going to be able to advance, and the Japanese were busily bringing up reinforcements. The Americans were taken off by landing boats under cover of darkness, and returned to their original bivouac. Fifteen men were killed, and another seven listed as missing – turning the Koiari Raid into a costly failure.
Burial Information or Disposition
PFC Gilless was last seen alive at 1000 on 29 November 1943. Nothing further was learned of his fate, and he was ultimately declared dead on 30 November 1944.
Memorials
Next Of Kin Address
Address of mother, Mrs. May Gilless.
Location Of Loss
Gilless was last seen in the vicinity of Koiari, Bougainville.
