Richard Ernest Canepa
Private Richard E. Canepa served with Able Company, First Battalion, 18th Marines.
He was reported missing in action at Betio, Tarawa atoll, on 20 November 1943.
Branch
Marine Corps Reserve
Service Number 522210
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
This case is under Active Pursuit by the DPAA.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
23 March 1925
at Reno, NV
Parents
Emilio “Milo” Canepa
Florentina “Florence” Canepa
Education
Alameda High School
Occupation & Employer
High school student
Service Life
Entered Service
18 February 1943
at San Francisco, CA
Home Of Record
425 Marion Court
Alameda, CA
Next Of Kin
Mother, Mrs. Florence R. Canepa
Military Specialty
Engineer
Primary Unit
18th Marines (A/1)
Campaigns Served
Tarawa
Individual Decorations
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
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Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
Private Richard E. Canepa was landed on Betio, Tarawa atoll, with his company on 20 November 1943. Following the battle, he was reported as missing in action. Service records suggested that Canepa was “transferred to unknown vessel… for further treatment and disposition,” indicating the possibility that he had been wounded and evacuated.
However, PFC James C. Moon (A/1/18) offered the following testimony:
“Private R. E. Canepa was killed in his foxhole, which was to the left of mine. He drew fire from a machine gun, and when I saw him next he was humped over dead. This was on or about Nov. 20 1943.”
Burial Information or Disposition
No record of burial; disposition of remains unknown.
Next Of Kin Address
Address of mother, Mrs. Florence Canepa.
Location Of Loss
Private Canepa was last seen in his foxhole at an unspecified location on Betio.
