Seldon Leveridge

PFC Seldon Leveridge served with the Regimental Weapons Company of the 2nd Marines. His unit was equipped with 37mm anti-tank guns, self-propelled 75mm guns (mounted on halftracks) and an assortment of machine guns, bazookas, and supporting equipment. Unfortunately, Leveridge’s specialty is not known.

On 20 November 1943, PFC Leveridge disembarked from the USS Arthur Middleton and boarded a landing craft in the Tarawa lagoon. His squad was assigned to support the attack of Third Battalion, 2nd Marines, against 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.

PFC Leveridge survived the initial landings and fought his way ashore, but he would never leave Betio. He was felled by a gunshot wound in the abdomen; sources differ as to the date, but he was officially pronounced killed in action as of 22 November 1943.