James Graydon Leland
PFC James G. Leland served with How Company, Second Battalion, 2nd Marines.
He was killed in action at Betio, Tarawa atoll, on 20 November 1943.
Branch
Marine Corps Regular
Service Number 374805
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
This case is under Active Pursuit by the DPAA.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
December 31, 1922
at Waterloo, IA
Parents
James Gillespie Leland
Clara (Howard) Leland
Education
East Waterloo High School
Occupation & Employer
Morris Motor Company
Service Life
Entered Service
February 3, 1942
at Des Moines, IA
Home Of Record
1249 Columbia Street
Waterloo, IA
Next Of Kin
Parents, James & Clara Leland
Military Specialty
—
Primary Unit
H/2/2nd Marines
Campaigns Served
Guadalcanal
Tarawa
Individual Decorations
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
—
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
PFC James Leland served with Company H, 2nd Marines during the Tarawa campaign. His company was armed primarily with water-cooled machine guns and 81mm mortars.
As the heavy weapons outfit of their battalion, How Company’s Marines were attached to different assault units for the 20 November 1943 landings on Betio. Their primary objective was to cross Beach Red 2 and support the advance of rifle platoons advancing towards the airfield. However, furious Japanese opposition destroyed unit cohesion and the gunners wound up fighting where they could, with what weapons they managed to bring ashore.
PFC Leland was killed in action on the day of the landings. The specifics of his death are not known.
Burial Information or Disposition
None recorded; identifiable remains were not recovered.
A memorial marker was erected in Cemetery 33, Grave 8, Row 2, Plot 1.
Next Of Kin Address
Address of parents, James & Clara Leland.
Location Of Loss
PFC Leland’s company landed on Betio’s Beach Red 2.
