Sigal Ellison Coons
PFC Sigal E. Coons served with Charlie Company, First Battalion,2nd Marines.
He was killed in action at Betio, Tarawa atoll, on 21 November 1943.
Branch
Marine Corps Regular
Service Number 326805
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
This case is under Active Pursuit by the DPAA.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
May 4, 1920
at Queen City, MO
Parents
Olaf & Mabel Coons
Education
Details unknown
Occupation & Employer
Champion Sillimanite Company
Service Life
Entered Service
October 30, 1941
at San Francisco, CA
Home Of Record
Queen City, MO
Next Of Kin
Father, Mr. Olaf F. Coons
Military Specialty
—
Primary Unit
C/1/2nd Marines
Campaigns Served
Tarawa
Individual Decorations
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
PFC Coons originally deployed overseas and served with Company A, 2nd Tank Battalion.
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
PFC Coons served with the First Battalion, 2nd Marines during the assault landings on Betio, Tarawa atoll. On 20 November 1943, his unit was assigned as the regimental reserve for units landing on Beaches Red One and Red Two. The assault waves were subjected to devastating fire from the moment they crossed the island’s coral reef, and suffered heavy casualties while coming ashore and on the beach itself. By 1030, the reserve units were struggling towards the beach themselves and making a tough landing under fire. Coons survived the first day’s fighting, and found himself on Betio’s western end for the night.
The next morning, survivors of the 2nd Marines gathered to continue the advance across Betio’s airfield. Coons was killed in action at some point during the fighting; shrapnel wounds of the head were listed as the cause in his casualty report.
Burial Information or Disposition
Sigal Coons was buried in a trench grave near Betio’s Green Beach, designated as “2nd Marines Cemetery #1.” A dozen other men were buried beside him, under grave markers made from scraps of wood.
This location, also known as “Cemetery C,” was not found by post-war searches. The thirteen Marines buried there – including PFC Coons – are still on Betio.
Next Of Kin Address
Address of father, Mr. Olaf Coons
Location Of Loss
PFC Coons was killed in action in the vicinity of Betio’s Green Beach.
