Robert Leslie Ice
PFC Robert L. Ice served with Item Company, Third Battalion, 2nd Marines.
He was killed in action at Betio, Tarawa atoll, on 20 November 1943.
Branch
Marine Corps Regular
Service Number 356287
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
This case is under Active Pursuit by the DPAA.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
May 6, 1924
at Tucson, AZ
Parents
Andrew Jackson Ice
divorced
Mildred (Lillard) Ice
Education
Details unknown
Occupation & Employer
Details unknown.
Service Life
Entered Service
January 24, 1942
at Indianapolis, IN
Home Of Record
2605 South Nebraska
Marion, IN
Next Of Kin
Mother, Mrs. Mildred B. Ice
Military Specialty
60mm mortarman
Primary Unit
I/3/2nd Marines
Campaigns Served
Solomon Islands
Tarawa
Individual Decorations
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
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Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
PFC Robert Ice served with Item Company, 2nd Marines during the Tarawa campaign.
On 20 November 1943, PFC Ice’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.
Ice was killed in action during the landing operations. No specifics of his death are known.
Burial Information or Disposition
No information recorded; identifiable remains not recovered.
A memorial marker was erected at Cemetery 33, Grave 3, Row 2, Plot 3.
Next Of Kin Address
Address of mother, Mrs. Mildred B. Ice.
During the war, Mildred moved back to Arizona and resided at 11 West Third Street, Tucson.
Location Of Loss
PFC Ice’s battalion was engaged in the vicinity of Beach Red One.
