Joseph Anthony Gorenc
Corporal Joseph A. Gorec served with Headquarters Company, HQ Battalion, 2nd Marine Division.
He was killed in action at Betio, Tarawa atoll, on 20 November 1943.
Branch
Marine Corps Regular
Service Number 384495
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
This case is under Active Pursuit by the DPAA.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
January 1, 1922
at Thomas, WV
Parents
Frank & Josephine Gorenc
Education
Girard High School (1940)
Occupation & Employer
Details unknown
Service Life
Entered Service
April 8, 1942
at Cleveland, OH
Home Of Record
60 Smithsonian Street
Girard, OH
Next Of Kin
Mother, Mrs. Josephine Girard
Military Specialty
Bandsman
Primary Unit
HQ Company, 2nd Marine Division
Campaigns Served
Guadalcanal
Tarawa
Individual Decorations
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
Gorenc played with the post bands at Parris Island and Quantico. He served with the 8th Marines on Guadalcanal.
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
Corporal Joseph Gorenc, a talented musician, served with the 2nd Marine Division Band during the Tarawa campaign. A former member of the 8th Marines, he was a veteran of combat on Guadalcanal.
In battle, bandsmen were often detailed to serve as stretcher bearers, messengers, or to carry supplies. These dangerous jobs often placed them in the line of fire, and over the course of the battle for Betio three members of the Division Band lost their lives.
The remains of PFC Robert H. Agnew and SSgt. John Snyder were buried in known cemeteries on Betio and were later recovered and returned to their families. Corporal Gorenc was not so fortunate. Gunshot wounds ended his life on 20 November 1943, and while he was reportedly buried on the island, his remains could not later be identified.
Burial Information or Disposition
“Buried in Marine Cemetery, Tarawa, Gilbert Islands.” No specific cemetery or grave location known.
A memorial marker was erected at Cemetery 33, Grave 13, Row 1, Plot 15.
Next Of Kin Address
Address of mother, Mrs. Josephine Gorenc.
Location Of Loss
Corporal Gorenc was killed at an unspecified location on Betio.
