Patrick John Kirby
PFC Patrick J. Kirby served with Baker Company, First Battalion, 1st Marine Parachute Regiment.
He was reported missing in action at Koiari, Bougainville, on 29 November 1943.
Branch
Marine Corps Reserve
Service Number 476734
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered.
Pursuit Category
The DPAA has not publicized this information.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
March 3, 1922
at St. Paul, MN
Parents
Edward Thomas Kirby, Sr.
Cecelia Maude (Egan) Kirby
Education
Occupation & Employer
None
Service Life
Entered Service
October 9, 1942
at Minneapolis, MN
Home Of Record
1869 Carroll Avenue
St. Paul, MN
Next Of Kin
Father, Mr. Edward Kirby Sr.
Military Specialty
Parachutist
Primary Unit
B/1st Paramarines
Campaigns Served
Bougainville
Individual Decorations
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
—
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
At 0300 on 29 November 1943, PFC Patrick “Pat” Kirby and his comrades in the First Parachute Battalion boarded landing craft from a Bougainville beach and set off for what they hoped would be a surprise amphibious assault on the Japanese rear.
The Marines planned to storm ashore near Koiari and establish a temporary base, from which they could conduct raids against Japanese communications, supplies, and artillery positions. Unfortunately, they landed in the middle of a well-guarded supply depot and the Japanese responded with overwhelming force. The Marines made a little headway but were outnumbered and outgunned from the outset. Casualties quickly began to mount.
Fighting raged for the rest of the day; by afternoon, the Marines realized that they were not going to be able to advance, and the Japanese were busily bringing up reinforcements. The Americans were taken off by landing boats under cover of darkness, and returned to their original bivouac. Fifteen men were killed, and another seven listed as missing – turning the Koiari Raid into a costly failure.
Burial Information or Disposition
Memorials
Manila American Cemetery and Memorial
Fort Snelling National Cemetery (incorrect date of death on marker)
Next Of Kin Address
Address of father, Mr. Edward Kirby.
Location Of Loss
Kirby was last seen in the vicinity of Koiari, Bougainville.
