Joseph Aloysius Ferrara, Jr.
Sergeant Joseph A. Ferrara, Jr. served with Charlie Company, Second Amphibian Battalion.
He was reported missing in action at Betio, Tarawa atoll, on 23 November 1943.
Branch
Marine Corps Regular
Service Number 385705
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
This case is under Active Pursuit by the DPAA.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
May 22, 1922
at South Boston, MA
Parents
Joseph Sr. & Margaret Ferrara
Education
Details unknown
Occupation & Employer
Details unknown
Service Life
Entered Service
March 19, 1942
at Boston, MA
Home Of Record
353 3rd Street
South Boston, MA
Next Of Kin
Mother, Mrs. Margaret A. Ferrara
Military Specialty
Amphibian Tractor Crewman
Quartermaster
Primary Unit
C/2nd Amphtrac Bn.
Campaigns Served
Tarawa
Individual Decorations
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
—
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
Sergeant Joseph Ferrara served as a quartermaster and amphibian tractor crewman during the invasion of Betio, Tarawa atoll. His vehicle, an LVT-1 “Alligator,” arrived at the battle aboard the USS Virgo and carried Marines of the first assault wave – either 2/2nd Marines to Red Beach 2, or 2/8th Marines to Red Beach 3.
When the battle ended, Sergeant Ferrara was nowhere to be found. Muster rolls for his battalion reported him as missing in action during the initial landings on 20 November 1943; other sources, including his casualty card and Individual Deceased Personnel File, indicate he survived until 23 November. No specifics of his final moments are known, and the latter date is his official date of death.
Burial Information or Disposition
No information recorded; remains not recovered.
A memorial marker was erected in Cemetery 33, Grave 3, Row 3, Plot 15.
Next Of Kin Address
Address of mother, Mrs. Margaret Ferrara.
Location Of Loss
Sergeant Ferrara was last seen at an unspecified location on Betio Island.
