John James Creech, Jr.
Private John J. Creech, Jr. served with Baker Company, First Battalion, 8th Marines.
He was reported missing in action at Betio, Tarawa atoll, on 20 November 1943.
*This is an official date of death. Creech's battalion did not land until 21 November 1943.
Branch
Marine Corps Regular
Service Number 386354
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
This case is under Active Pursuit by the DPAA.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
February 23, 1921
at Antigo, WI
Parents
John J. Creech, Sr.
Anna (Fraley) Creech
Education
Grammar school
Occupation & Employer
Machinist and auto mechanic
(Various employers in Chicago)
Service Life
Entered Service
April 7, 1942
at Chicago, IL
Home Of Record
Bryant, WI
Next Of Kin
Father, Mr. John Creech Sr.
Military Specialty
—
Primary Unit
B/1/8th Marines
Second Platoon
Campaigns Served
Tarawa
Individual Decorations
Additional Service Details
Private Creech joined B/1/8th Marines as a replacement in October 1943.
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
Private John Creech served with Company B, First Battalion, 8th Marines during 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.”
I gesture at them and shout, "C'mon, you guys, let's go! Get moving! Move out!"
They obey me: they get moving. They're good men, the best. They charge down the ramp, jump feet first into the water, start wading toward shore. And that's when the slaughter really begins."
Private Creech was last seen alive during the landing operation. When the battle ended, he was officially noted as “missing in action” – a status that was soon amended to “killed in action.” Although his battalion did not land until D+1, Creech’s official date of death is given as 20 November 1943.
Burial Information or Disposition
None recorded; reported as missing in action.
A memorial marker was erected in Cemetery 33, Plot 5, Row 2, Grave 17.
Next Of Kin Address
Address of father, Mr. John Creech Sr.
Location Of Loss
Private Creech’s battalion landed in the vicinity of Beach Red 2, Betio.
