Jay Richardson Templeton
PFC Jay R. Templeton served with Able Company, Second Amphibian Tractor Battalion.
He was reported missing in action at Betio, Tarawa atoll, on 20 November 1943.
Branch
Marine Corps Regular
Service Number 330502
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
This case is under Active Pursuit by the DPAA.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
November 26, 1924
at Knoxville, TN
Parents
Robert & Agnes Richardson
Education
Christenberry Junior High
Occupation & Employer
Student
Service Life
Entered Service
December 1, 1924
at Washington, DC
Home Of Record
4421 Ord Street NE
Washington, DC
Next Of Kin
Father, Mr. Robert R. Templeton
Military Specialty
Amphibian Tractor Crewman
Primary Unit
A/2nd Amphtrac Bn.
Campaigns Served
Solomon Islands
Tarawa
Individual Decorations
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
Assigned duty with “A-1” Company, specializing in LVT-2 vehicles.
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
PFC Templeton served as an amphibian tractor crewman during the assault on Betio, Tarawa atoll. His vehicle, a new LVT-2 “Buffalo” model, carried troops of 2nd Marines to land on either Red Beach One or Red Beach Two.
The slow-moving, lightly-armored LVT units suffered tremendous losses during the landings – both in vehicles and men. PFC Templeton was one of the casualties; he was reported missing following the first day of the assault, and subsequently declared killed in action as of 20 November 1943.
PFC Templeton’s father, Robert Templeton, was employed by the Department of the Navy to compile casualty lists. He was on the job when he learned of his son’s death in action.
Burial Information or Disposition
Burial information not known – remains not recovered.
A memorial marker was erected in Cemetery 33, Grave 9, Row 3, Plot 15.
Memorials
Honolulu Memorial, Tablets Of The Missing
Next Of Kin Address
Address of father, Mr. Robert “Bob” Templeton
Location Of Loss
PFC Templeton was last seen engaged in landing operations near Betio’s Red Beaches.
