Merlin Eyre Duncan
Pharmacist’s Mate Second Class Merlin E. Duncan was a Navy hospital corpsman attached to Third Battalion, 2nd Marines.
He was reported missing in action at Betio, Tarawa atoll, on 20 November 1943.
Branch
United States Navy Reserve
Service Number 660 49 36
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
This case is under Active Pursuit by the DPAA.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
January 23, 1921
at Cowley, WY
as “Merwyn Duncan”
Parents
Archie Duncan
Evelyn (Eyre) Duncan
divorced 1927
Education
South High School (1941)
Occupation & Employer
Assistant caddy master
Fort Douglas Golf Club
Service Life
Entered Service
September 25, 1942
at Salt Lake City, UT
Home Of Record
374 American Avenue
Salt Lake City, UT
Next Of Kin
Mother, Mrs. Evelyn E. Harrison
Military Specialty
Corpsman
Primary Unit
Unknown company
3/2nd Marines
Campaigns Served
Tarawa
Individual Decorations
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
—
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
Pharmacist’s Mate Merlin Duncan served as a medical corpsman with the Third Battalion, 2nd Marines. Although officially on the rolls of Headquarters Company, “Doc” Duncan may have served with one of the battalion’s four companies in combat.
On 20 November 1943, Duncan’s battalion led the assault on Betio’s Red Beach One. Their landing vehicles were caught in a terrible crossfire, and many were knocked out before ever reaching the beach. Casualties in 3/2 were extremely high, and many men simply disappeared, never to be seen again.
Duncan was last seen alive during landing operations at Red One. He was reported as missing in action following the battle, and ultimately declared dead on 21 November 1944. The specifics of his fate, and the disposition of his remains, are a mystery to this day.
Burial Information or Disposition
None recorded; identifiable remains not recovered.
Next Of Kin Address
Address of mother, Mrs. Evelyn Eyre Harrison.
Location Of Loss
Corpsman Duncan’s battalion landed along Betio’s Red Beach One.
