John William Holm
PFC John W. Holm served with Fox Company, Second Battalion, 2nd Marines.
He was killed in action at Betio, Tarawa atoll, on 21 November 1943.
Branch
Marine Corps Reserve
Service Number 506443
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
This case is under Active Pursuit by the DPAA.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
December 16, 1915
at Walla Walla, WA
Parents
Frank Anian Holm
Amanda (Ladvala) Holm (d. 1939)
Education
Details unknown
Occupation & Employer
E. I. DuPont de Nemours Company
(DuPont Chemical)
Service Life
Entered Service
December 15, 1942
at Seattle, WA
Home Of Record
721 West Stewart Avenue
Puyallup, WA
Next Of Kin
Sister, Mrs. Tyyni L. Martinson
Military Specialty
—
Primary Unit
F/2/2nd Marines
Campaigns Served
Tarawa
Individual Decorations
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
—
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
PFC John Holm served with Fox Company, 2nd Marines during the Tarawa campaign. On 20 November 1943, his battalion was assigned the task of spearheading the assault on Betio’s Red Beach Two. Fox Company would land on the eastern half of the beach, fight their way inland, and help secure a vital airfield. If all went according to plan, they would walk ashore standing up and have the situation in hand by evening.
Extremely heavy Japanese resistance demolished the American plan in the first few moments, and for the rest of 20 November the Marines fought to secure a toehold on the beaches. Those who survived the first day spent an uneasy night a few feet from the water, or hidden in craters or foxholes, wary of nighttime attacks.
Holm was present for duty when the sun rose on 21 November 1943, but would not live out the day. He was killed by gunshot wounds in the head somewhere in the vicinity of Beach Green on the western end of Betio.
Burial Information or Disposition
PFC Holm’s body was reportedly buried on 23 November 1943. The location was a small trench near Beach Green, designated “2nd Marines Cemetery #1” or “Cemetery C.” Holm was the fifth of thirteen men buried in this cemetery; his F/2/2 comrade PFC Harold E. Perkins was the tenth.
“Cemetery C” was obliterated during the construction of Hawkins Field and its supporting buildings, and the exact location was lost. To this day, the remains of PFC Holm and twelve other Marines lie in what were supposed to be temporary graves on the island of Betio.
Next Of Kin Address
Address of sister, Mrs. Tyyni L. Martinson.
Location Of Loss
PFC Holm was killed as his unit advanced towards Betio’s Green Beach.
