Isolated grave of PFC Joseph Lafayette Vance of Kingsport, Tennessee. Vance, a member of Company L, Third Battalion, 8th Marines, died of gunshot wounds suffered on 21 November 1943. His battalion confirmed his death, but only took a guess at his burial location: “Division Cemetery, row and grave unknown.” Vance’s remains were ultimately located by the 604th Quartermaster Graves Registration Company, and identified in the field.
Marine Corps Graves Registration records note that Vance was originally buried in “Grave 20, Row 1, Cemetery B, 2nd Marines #2” – also known as “Cemetery 10.” However, his remains were reinterred in Lone Palm Cemetery Plot 2, Row 10, Grave 5 on 5 April 1946 – three days before operations at Cemetery 10 started – suggesting that Vance may indeed have been buried in this isolated location.
