Robert Eugene Liertz
PFC Robert E. Liertz served with King Company, Third Battalion, 8th Marines.
He was reported missing in action at Betio, Tarawa atoll, on 20 November 1943.
Branch
Marine Corps Reserve
Service Number 506965
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
This case is under Active Pursuit by the DPAA.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
May 17, 1922
at Racine, WI
Parents
John Raymond Liertz
Maude Booth (Parks) Liertz
Education
Horlick High School (1941)
Occupation & Employer
S. C. Johnson & Son
Service Life
Entered Service
November 23, 1942
at Milwaukee, WI
Home Of Record
Route 3
Racine, WI
Next Of Kin
Mother, Mrs. Maude Liertz
Military Specialty
—
Primary Unit
K/3/8th Marines
Campaigns Served
Tarawa
Individual Decorations
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
—
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
PFC Robert Liertz served with King Company, 8th Marines during the battle of Tarawa.
The amphibious assault on Betio, Tarawa atoll – Operation GALVANIC – commenced on 20 November 1943. The Third Battalion, 8th Marines were in reserve for the landing operation, but were ordered to stand by in their LCVPs and were afloat by 1015. At 1200, the battalion’s first wave (which included King Company) began heading towards Beach Red 3 to support the heavily-engaged BLT 2-8.
Several hundred yards from the beach, the LCVPs slammed into a coral reef and stopped. Ramps went down, and Marines gamely jumped out into water over their heads. Some drowned, while the rest faced “heavy 40mm, machine gun, and mortar fire” that shredded their ranks. Only about a hundred disorganized, demoralized men – less than a company – made it to shore. The King Company survivors were sent to hold the left flank of the Marine line, and endured heavy machine gun and sniper fire for the rest of the day.
PFC Liertz was last seen alive during the landing operation. He was reported as missing in action after the battle; nothing more was ever learned of his whereabouts, and he was later declared dead as of 20 November 1943.
Burial Information or Disposition
None recorded; missing in action.
A memorial marker was erected in Cemetery 33, Plot 10, Row 2, Grave 16.
Next Of Kin Address
Approximate address of mother, Mrs. Maude Liertz.
Location Of Loss
Liertz’s battalion landed at various locations between Beach Red 2 and Red 3.
