Remains Recovered
1946
Unidentified Remains
2021
Unaccounted For
2021
Cemetery 16-A was the isolated grave of PFC Edgar Whitley Wright (L/3/2nd Marines). Wright, who hailed from Denver, Colorado, was killed in action on 22 November 1943. The specifics of his death, and the location of his burial, were not known to his battalion.
Wright’s remains were located and identified by the 604th Quartermaster Graves Registration Company. He was reburied in Lone Palm Cemetery Plot 1, Row 1, Grave 2 on 19 March 1946, and ultimately returned to his family.
Cemetery 16-B belonged to Private Allen Charles Gasser (K/3/2nd Marines). Private Gasser died on 20 November 1943; like PFC Wright, no other details pertaining to his death or burial were recorded on unit muster rolls.
Gasser’s remains were exhumed and identified simultaneously with Wright’s. He was reinterred in Lone Palm Cemetery Plot 1, Row 2, Grave 10 on 20 March 1946, and finally returned to his native Kansas for final burial.
(Note how the cross of Cemetery 16B (Gasser) visible behind Wright’s marker. The proximity of buildings, roads, and a trash can gives an idea as to how crowded Betio became during the garrison period.)
