Paul Perkins
Gunnery Sergeant Paul Perkins served with Able Company, First Battalion, 2nd Marines.
He was killed in action at Betio, Tarawa atoll, on 21 November 1943.
Branch
Marine Corps Regular
Service Number 266829
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
This case is under Active Pursuit by the DPAA.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
May 20, 1919
at DeQuincy, LA
Parents
Lee & Vivian Perkins
Education
Louisiana State University
(Details unknown)
Occupation & Employer
Enlisted out of college.
Service Life
Entered Service
August 1, 1938
at New Orleans, LA
Home Of Record
The Hotel Clermont
Atlanta, GA
Next Of Kin
Wife, Mrs. Virginia A. Perkins
Military Specialty
Gunnery Sergeant
Primary Unit
A/1/2nd Marines
Campaigns Served
Guadalcanal
Tarawa
Individual Decorations
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
—
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
Gunnery Sergeant Perkins served with Company A, First Battalion, 2nd Marines during the invasion of Tarawa. His battalion constituted the regimental reserve, and was ordered to land against heavy opposition at Beach Red 2 on the morning of 20 November 1943.
The Gunny survived the first day of the battle, but his luck would not hold out. He suffered multiple gunshot wounds which ended his life at the young age of twenty-four. No further specifics of his death are known.
Burial Information or Disposition
No information recorded; remains not recovered.
A memorial marker was erected in Cemetery 11, Grave 1, Row 2, Plot 3.
Next Of Kin Address
Address of wife, Mrs. Virginia Perkins.
Location Of Loss
Gunnery Sergeant Perkins was killed in action at an unspecified location on Betio.
