Joseph Andrew Latin
PFC Joseph A. “Joe” Latin served with Able Company, First Battalion, 8th Marines.
He was killed in action at Betio, Tarawa atoll, on 21 November 1943.
Branch
Marine Corps Reserve
Service Number 479174
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
This case is under Active Pursuit by the DPAA.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
September 1, 1918
at Denbo, PA
Parents
Andrew Latin
Regina (Hiengek) Latin
Education
Grammar school
Occupation & Employer
Miner
Service Life
Entered Service
November 9, 1942
at Pittsburgh, PA
Home Of Record
Smithfield, PA
Next Of Kin
Mother, Mrs. Regina Latin
Military Specialty
—
Primary Unit
A/1/8th Marines
Campaigns Served
Tarawa
Individual Decorations
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
—
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
PFC Joseph Latin served with Company A, First Battalion, 8th Marines in the battle for Tarawa.
At midday on 20 November 1943, BLT 1-8 climbed over the sides of their transport ships and boarded LCVPs in Tarawa lagoon. They anticipated imminent landing orders, but due to the desperate situation on the beach were held offshore in their little boats, bobbing in the waves for the rest of the day and a very long night. Early on 21 November, the battalion was ordered to land on Betio’s Beach Red 2.
At 0615, the first waves of 1-8 rushed down the ramps and into the breaking surf on a coral reef some 500 yards from shore. Although friendly troops held the water’s edge, they “immediately came under heavy machine gun fire from both flanks.” The battalion was decimated on the long walk to shore. An action report penned by the 8th Marines noted that “many of the casualties resulted from drowning, due to the heavy packs and equipment men attempted to take across the submerged fringing reef.”
PFC Latin was one of those who fell in action on 21 November 1943, either during the landing itself or shortly after coming ashore. His death was confirmed by company officers, but no specifics were recorded.
Burial Information or Disposition
“Buried in Division Cemetery, grave unknown.”
A memorial marker was erected in Cemetery 11, Plot 1, Row 2, Grave 9.
Next Of Kin Address
Address of mother, Mrs. Regina Latin.
Location Of Loss
PFC Latin’s battalion landed in the vicinity of Beach Red 2, Betio.