John Oliver Tremmel, Jr.
Private John O. Tremmel, Jr. served with Fox Company, Second Battalion, 8th Marines.
He was killed in action at Betio, Tarawa atoll, on 20 November 1943.
Branch
Marine Corps Regular
Service Number 813109
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
This case is under Active Pursuit by the DPAA.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
December 8, 1924
at Biloxi, MS
Parents
John Oliver Tremmel, Senior
Theresa Claire (Cox) Tremmel
Education
Details unknown
Occupation & Employer
Details unknown
Service Life
Entered Service
January 5, 1943
at New Orleans, LA
Home Of Record
1026 N Rochblane Street
New Orleans, LA
Next Of Kin
Father, Mr. John Tremmel Sr.
Military Specialty
—
Primary Unit
F/2/8th Marines
Campaigns Served
Tarawa
Individual Decorations
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
—
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
Private John Tremmel served with Fox Company, 8th Marines in the battle for Tarawa.
The amphibious assault on Betio, Tarawa atoll – Operation GALVANIC – commenced on 20 November 1943. The Second Battalion 8th Marines was given the job of assaulting the easternmost of three landing beaches – “Red 3” – and, once ashore, moving inland to quickly secure the airfield that covered much of the tiny island’s surface. A heavy and morale-boosting naval bombardment convinced many Marines that the task would be a simple one, and spirits were high at 0900 when their amphibious tractors started paddling for the beach.
The Japanese were quick to recover. Shells began bursting over the LVTs. “As the tractors neared the shore the air filled with the smoke and fragments of shells fired from 3-inch guns,” notes A Brief History of the 8th Marines. “Fortunately, casualties had been light on the way to the beach, but once the men dismounted and struggled to get beyond the beach, battle losses increased dramatically.” Most of the beach defenses were still intact, and these were supported by row after row of pillboxes, rifle pits, and machine gun nests.
Private Tremmel survived the landing and at most one day ashore, but would not live to see the end of the battle. He was was shot and killed on 21 November 1943, presumably as his battalion attempted to expand their beachhead. No further details of his death are known.
Burial Information or Disposition
No specific location recorded; identifiable remains not recovered.
A memorial marker was erected in Cemetery 11, Plot 5, Row 3, Grave 5.
Next Of Kin Address
Wartime address of father, John Tremmel Senior.
The Tremmels also resided at 202 Couvas Street, Biloxi, Mississippi.
Location Of Loss
Tremmel’s battalion landed on and fought in the vicinity of Beach Red 3.