Sylvio Lemay
PFC Sylvio Lemay served with Item Company, Third Battalion, 8th Marines.
He was killed in action at Betio, Tarawa atoll, on 21 November 1943.
Branch
Marine Corps Reserve
Service Number 487741
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
This case is under Active Pursuit by the DPAA.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
October 17, 1926
at Fall River, MA
Parents
George H. Lemay
Laurette (Imbeau) Lemay
Education
Prevost High School
Occupation & Employer
Student
Service Life
Entered Service
November 4, 1942
at Boston, MA
Home Of Record
337 Flint Street
Fall River, MA
Next Of Kin
Mother, Mrs. Laurette Lemay
Military Specialty
—
Primary Unit
I/3/8th Marines
Campaigns Served
Tarawa
Individual Decorations
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
—
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
PFC Sylvio Lemay served with Item Company, 8th Marines during the Guadalcanal campaign and in 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 began heading towards Beach Red 3 to support the heavily-engaged BLT 2-8.
Nothing went as planned. Item Company approached in the fourth wave; one boat was hit causing “considerable casualties,” and the rest pulled back and attempted to land on Beach Red 2. They intermingled with the fifth wave, grounded on the coral reef, and once again took casualties. The surviving boats waited in the water outside of small-arms range, and finally managed to disembark the rest of Item Company between 1630 and 1800 hours. Those who reached shore were attached to battered Love Company and participated in an attack south towards the main airfield.
Seventeen-year-old Lemay managed to get ashore and survived the first day of fighting, but was killed in action by gunshot wounds on 21 November 1943. No other details about his death are known.
Burial Information or Disposition
“Division Cemetery, Tarawa.” No further specifics recorded.
A memorial marker was erected in Cemetery 33, Plot 1, Row 1, Grave 17.
Next Of Kin Address
Address of mother, Mrs. Laurette Lemay.
Location Of Loss
Lemay’s battalion landed at various locations between Beach Red 2 and Red 3.
