John C. Westfall, Jr.
PFC John C. “Shorty” Westfall served with Able Company, First Battalion, 8th Marines.
He was killed in action at Betio, Tarawa atoll, on 21 November 1943.
Branch
Marine Corps Regular
Service Number 812615
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
This case is under Active Pursuit by the DPAA.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
July 30, 1924
at Miami County, OH
Parents
John C. Westfall, Sr.
Edith M. (Poorman) Westfall
Education
Piqua High School (1942)
Occupation & Employer
Service Life
Entered Service
February 20, 1943
at Cincinnati, OH
Home Of Record
Piqua, OH
Next Of Kin
Mother, Mrs. Edith M. Westfall
Military Specialty
Machine Gunner
Primary Unit
A/1/8th Marines
Campaigns Served
Tarawa
Individual Decorations
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
—
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
PFC John C. Westfall, Jr. served with Company A, First Battalion, 8th Marines in 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.”
PFC Westfall was one of those who fell in action on 21 November 1943, either during the landing itself or shortly after coming ashore. His death was confirmed by company officers, but no specifics were recorded.
Burial Information or Disposition
“In Division Cemetery, grave unknown.” Also listed as “body not recovered.”
A memorial cross was erected at Cemetery 33, Plot 14, Row 1, Grave 6.
Next Of Kin Address
Address of mother, Mrs. Edith M. Westfall.
Location Of Loss
PFC Westfall’s battalion landed in the vicinity of Beach Red 2, Betio.