Louis Bartholmew Berent
Private Louis B. Berent served with Fox Company, Second Battalion, 8th Marines.
He was reported missing in action at Betio, Tarawa atoll, on 20 November 1943.
Branch
Marine Corps Regular
Service Number 834268
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
This case is under Active Pursuit by the DPAA.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
November 1, 1922
at Chicago, IL
Parents
Frank Barney Berent
Anna (Schurder) Berent (d. 1945)
Education
Grammar school
Occupation & Employer
Details unknown
Service Life
Entered Service
February 26, 1943
at Chicago, IL
Home Of Record
1624 North Throop Street
Chicago, IL
Next Of Kin
Mother, Mrs. Anna Berent
Military Specialty
Demolitions
Primary Unit
F/2/8th Marines
Campaigns Served
Tarawa
Individual Decorations
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
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Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
Private Louis Berent served with Fox Company, 8th Marines in the battle for Tarawa.
The amphibious assault on Betio, Tarawa atoll – Operation GALVANIC – commenced on 20 November 1943. The Second Battalion 8th Marines was given the job of assaulting the easternmost of three landing beaches – “Red 3” – and, once ashore, moving inland to quickly secure the airfield that covered much of the tiny island’s surface. A heavy and morale-boosting naval bombardment convinced many Marines that the task would be a simple one, and spirits were high at 0900 when their amphibious tractors started paddling for the beach.
The Japanese were quick to recover. Shells began bursting over the LVTs. “As the tractors neared the shore the air filled with the smoke and fragments of shells fired from 3-inch guns,” notes A Brief History of the 8th Marines. “Fortunately, casualties had been light on the way to the beach, but once the men dismounted and struggled to get beyond the beach, battle losses increased dramatically.” Most of the beach defenses were still intact, and these were supported by row after row of pillboxes, rifle pits, and machine gun nests.
Private Berent failed to return to his company when the battle ended. He was initially reported as wounded in action; when he could not be found on the rolls of any medical facility, his status was changed to missing. “Evidence of death” was received in March, and Berent was ultimately declared “killed in action” as of 20 November 1943.
Burial Information or Disposition
None; reported as missing in action, no identifiable remains recovered.
A memorial marker was erected in Cemetery 33, Plot 3, Row 3, Grave 14.
Next Of Kin Address
Address of mother, Mrs. Anna Berent.
Location Of Loss
Berent’s battalion landed on and fought in the vicinity of Beach Red 3.