Loren Avis Smith
Private Loren A. Smith served with Able Company, First Battalion, 8th Marines.
He was reported missing in action at Betio, Tarawa atoll, on 20 November 1943.
*This is an official date of death. Smith's battalion did not land until 21 November 1943.
Branch
Marine Corps Reserve
Service Number 426680
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
This case is under Active Pursuit by the DPAA.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
February 27, 1922
at Parkville, MO
Parents
Samuel Jackson Smith
Lorena (Thomas) Smith (d. 1941)
Education
Details unknown
Occupation & Employer
Kansas Flour Mills
Service Life
Entered Service
September 9, 1942
at Kansas City, MO
Home Of Record
1820 Jarboe Street
Kansas City, MO
Next Of Kin
Father, Mr. Sam J. Smith
Military Specialty
—
Primary Unit
A/1/8th Marines
Campaigns Served
Tarawa
Individual Decorations
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
Prior to joining A/1/8th Marines, Private Smith served with the 2nd Marine Division’s motor transport company.
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
Private Loren Smith served with Company A, First Battalion, 8th Marines during 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.”
Private Smith was last seen alive during the landing operation. When the battle ended, he was officially noted as “missing in action” – a status that was soon amended to “killed in action.” Although his battalion did not land until D+1, Smith’s official date of death is given as 20 November 1943.
Burial Information or Disposition
None recorded; reported as missing in action.
A memorial marker was erected in Cemetery 33, Plot 15, Row 1, Grave 6.
Next Of Kin Address
Address of father, Mr. Samuel J. Smith.
Location Of Loss
Private Smith’s battalion landed in the vicinity of Beach Red 2, Betio.
