Jeoze Gonsalves Molles
PFC Jeoze G. “Joe” Molles served with Love Company, Third Battalion, 2nd Marines.
He was reported missing in action at Betio, Tarawa atoll, on 20 November 1943.
Branch
Marine Corps [Regular / Reserve]
Service Number XXXXXX
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
This case is under Active Pursuit by the DPAA.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
April 17, 1923
at Artesia, CA
Parents
Jeronimo Gonçalves Molles
Maria (Loureiro) Molles
Education
Excelsior Union High School (1940)
Occupation & Employer
Details unknown
Service Life
Entered Service
December 12, 1942
at Los Angeles, CA
Home Of Record
400 South Shoemaker Ave.
Artesia, CA
Next Of Kin
Mother, Mrs. Maria Molles
Military Specialty
—
Primary Unit
L/3/2nd Marines
Campaigns Served
Tarawa
Individual Decorations
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
—
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
PFC Jeoze Molles served with Love Company, 2nd Marines during the battle of Tarawa.
On 20 November 1943, Molles’ battalion was assigned the task of spearheading the assault on Betio’s Beach Red One – a curved stretch of sand running several hundred yards from the “bird’s beak” in the west to Red Two in the east. The natural shape of the beach created a crossfire for the defenders, and the area became known as “the Pocket.” Slow-moving landing craft were quickly targeted from multiple angles, and many were knocked out as they approached the shore. Hundreds of men were killed or wounded before stepping foot on dry land. Those who survived faced a network of obstacles manned by determined Japanese defenders, and the fighting was close-in and savage.
Love Company, designated as the battalion reserve and embarked in boats instead of tractors, faced an especially horrific ordeal. “LCVs grounded on the reef about 500 yards from the beach and [the men] disembarked into the water,” states the battalion report. “They were heavily hit both by machine gun and large caliber fire while in the water. Most of the fire came from the left, so as a consequence , the company landed on the right half of Beach Red 1. The casualties to this company at this time amounted to about 35%.”
Joe Molles was last seen alive during this landing operation. He was reported as missing in action after the battle; several weeks later, when it was clear he could not have survived, his status was changed to killed in action as of 20 November. Further details of his death are not known.
Burial Information or Disposition
None recorded; reported as missing in action, and no identifiable remains were recovered.
A memorial marker was erected in Cemetery 33, Grave 12, Row 1, Plot 11.
Next Of Kin Address
Address of mother, Mrs. Maria Molles
Location Of Loss
Molles’ battalion was engaged in the vicinity of Beach Red One.