John Terry Brackeen
Sergeant “J. T.” Brackeen served with George Company, Second Battalion, 2nd Marines.
He was killed in action at Betio, Tarawa atoll, on 20 November 1943.
Branch
Marine Corps Reserve
Service Number 335984
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
This case is under Active Pursuit by the DPAA.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
May 9, 1915
at Tipton, OK
Parents
Nathaniel Terry Brackeen (d. 1939)
Mary Ophelia Brackeen
Education
Grammar school
(Details unknown)
Occupation & Employer
General Laborer
Road construction
Service Life
Entered Service
December 19, 1941
at Los Angeles, CA
Home Of Record
2103 Truxton Avenue
Bakersfield, CA
Next Of Kin
Mother, Mrs. Ophelia Brackeen
Military Specialty
Squad Leader
Primary Unit
G/2/2nd Marines
Campaigns Served
Guadalcanal
Tarawa
Individual Decorations
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
—
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
Sergeant John Terry Brackeen – also known as “JT” or “Pat” Brackeen – served with George Company, 2nd Marines at Guadalcanal and during the Tarawa campaign.
On 20 November 1943, G/2/2 was designated to land as a support wave on Betio’s Beach Red 2, following Easy and Fox Companies of their battalion. Their LVTs began taking fire as they approached the beach – an experience described by George Company veteran Robert Twitchell:
Coming in along the pier we could hear the THUMPA-THUMPA-THUMPA of machine gun slugs hitting the armor plate, and every few seconds the KERWUMPA-KERWUMPA-KERWUMPA of a mortar shell exploding alongside. "My God, my God," I repeated over and over, "what the hell am I doing here?"
No one hesitated jumping or leaping over the side of the amtrac – it was the only way to exit as there were no doors. For a few long seconds you are a very visible target..... Lying on the already stained white coral sands and half floating in the lagoon were four of the men who I had just rode in with, slept with, prayed with and hoped with.... The horrible realization of what had happened struck me; the other five men in that amtrac must have been killed or wounded as they tried to climb up and over the side....
At some point during the day’s action, Sergeant Brackeen fell with fatal bullet wounds. While his death was confirmed by other members of his company, no further specifics are known.
Burial Information or Disposition
None recorded; identifiable remains were not recovered.
A memorial marker was erected in Cemetery 33, Grave 11, Row 1, Plot 4.
Next Of Kin Address
Address of mother, Mrs. Ophelia Brackeen
Mrs. Brackeen moved to 1427 East Polk Street, Phoenix, AZ after JT enlisted.
Location Of Loss
Sergeant Brackeen’s company fought in the vicinity of Betio’s Red Beach 2.
