Peter Jim Cetrone
Private Peter J. Cetrone served with King Company, Third Battalion, 2nd Marines.
He was killed in action at Betio, Tarawa atoll, on 20 November 1943.
Branch
Marine Corps Regular
Service Number 832340
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
This case is under Active Pursuit by the DPAA.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
June 29, 1923
at Detroit, MI
Parents
Panfilo Cetrone
Josephine (Garrise) Cetrone
Education
Details unknown
Occupation & Employer
Hudson Motor Car Company
Service Life
Entered Service
February 8, 1923
at Detroit, MI
Home Of Record
2142 Helen Avenue
Detroit, MI
Next Of Kin
Mother, Mrs. Josephine Cetrone
Military Specialty
—
Primary Unit
K/3/2nd Marines
Campaigns Served
Tarawa
Individual Decorations
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
—
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
Private Peter Cetrone served with Company K, 2nd Marines during the Tarawa campaign
On 20 November 1943, Cetrone’s battalion was assigned the task of spearheading the assault on Betio’s Beach Red One – a curved stretch of sand running several hundred yards from the “bird’s beak” in the west to Red Two in the east. The natural shape of the beach created a crossfire for the defenders, and the area became known as “the Pocket.” Slow-moving landing craft were quickly targeted from multiple angles, and many were knocked out as they approached the shore. Hundreds of men were killed or wounded before stepping foot on dry land. Those who survived faced a network of obstacles manned by determined Japanese defenders, and the fighting was close-in and savage.
“On approaching the beach, the first two waves of LVTs were hit by machine gun and anti-boat gun fire from beaches Red 1 and 2 and Beach Green firing over the point,” reads an official report. “This fire damaged several LVTs and caused severe casualties. The assault waves landed generally at about 0910. The left half of Company K was partially stopped about 150 yards from the beach by anti-boat fire and suffered very heavy casualties. The remainder of Company K and Company I were also heavily hit by machine guns both in LVTs and while disembarking. The log barricade in front of Company I offered some cover and an opportunity to organize, but Company K had no cover and many of those who made the beach were hit on the flat terrain.”
Private Cetrone was last seen alive during the landing operations on Beach Red One. When the battle ended, his company reported him as “missing in action” – unsure if he had been killed, or wounded and evacuated to an unknown destination. By January 1944, it was clear that Cetrone had lost his life on Betio, and he was declared dead as of 20 November 1943.
Burial Information or Disposition
None recorded; identifiable remains not recovered.
A memorial marker was erected in Cemetery 33, Grave 4, Row 3, Plot 14.
Next Of Kin Address
Address of mother, Mrs. Josephine Cetrone.
Location Of Loss
Private Cetrone’s battalion was engaged in the vicinity of Beach Red One.
So heart breaking to read this. Peter Cetrone was my Uncle. More information than I knew before. Thank you for keeping the families informed. We so appreciate it. God Bless All Of Them.