Robert Fransen
Corporal Robert Fransen served with Easy Company, Second Battalion, 8th Marines.
He was killed in action at Guadalcanal on 22 November 1942.
Branch
Marine Corps Regular
Service Number 281290
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
The DPAA has not publicized this information.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
November 6, 1921
in Stillman Valley, IL
Parents
Henry Fransen
Alma Cecile (Sloggett) Fransen
Education
Details unknown
Occupation & Employer
Farm hand
(Fransen family farm)
Service Life
Entered Service
January 22, 1940
at New Orleans, LA
Home Of Record
Leaf River, IL
Next Of Kin
Parents, Henry & Alma Fransen
Military Specialty
—
Individual Decorations
Purple Heart
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
On 21 November, the 164th and 182nd Infantry Regiments pushed westward along Guadalcanal’s north coast and took positions on ridges beyond Point Cruz. A gap developed between 3/164 and 2/182, and General Edmund Sebree requested a Marine unit to connect the two battalions. Easy Company, 8th Marines was tapped for the task and moved out at approximately 1700 hours. Reports of sniper activity only arrived after they departed, and the route itself was extremely difficult. “Due to the rough terrain, it was 2200 before this company was in position covering this gap,” noted the regiment’s report. Easy Company reported three men killed and seven wounded during the night of 21-22 November.
In the morning, the rest of 2/8 crossed the Matanikau River and took up positions in assembly areas behind the Army regiments. While few enemy contacts were reported, Easy and Fox Companies suffered several additional casualties. One of the dead was Corporal Robert Fransen, who suffered fatal gunshot wounds to the head. The exact circumstances of his death are not currently known.
Burial Information or Disposition
Fransen’s remains were reportedly “interred on field of action.” A postwar sketch of the area indicates that he was buried close by PhM2c Harvey C. Hall and PFC Edward M. Spear at coordinates (69.3-199.3), Gudalcanal Map #104. Two other E/2/8 Marines – PFC Vernon W. P. Patrick and Private Patrick Quinn – are also at these coordinates, suggesting Easy Company established a small field cemetery at this location.
Memorials
Next Of Kin Address
The Fransen family farm was located outside the village of Leaf River, IL.
Location Of Loss
Approximate area where Fransen was reportedly buried.
