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Tarawa Cemetery 18

"Isolated Grave 18"

0

Remains Recovered
1946

0

Unidentified Remains
2021

0

Unaccounted For
2021

This cemetery was created during the “beautification” process in 1944, and commemorated Robert J. Brand, Basil Norman Jr., Frank C. Andruseasky, and Henry Lutzow. In the rear may be seen the lone memorial cross of Cemetery 21.

None of the four Marines whose names appear on the crosses shown above have been accounted for, and no remains are known to have been recovered from this location. Corporal Brand was originally reported as buried in the West Division Cemetery. The other three individuals have no additional record of burial. “Beautified” isolated graves were not placed at random; it may be guessed that Brand, Norman, Andruseasky, and Lutzow died somewhere in the vicinity, but the reconstruction process destroyed any trace of original graves in the area.

Naval Air Station Hawkins Field, 1944. Memorial graves, including Cemetery 18, are visible among the buildings. US Navy photo / NARA RG-80.

Corporal Robert John Brand
H/2/2nd Marines

Killed in action 11/20/1943
USMC reported burial in West Division Cemetery

UNACCOUNTED FOR

Brand

Platoon Sgt. Basil Norman, Jr.
K/3/2nd Marines
Silver Star

Killed in action 11/20/1943
USMC reported burial disposition unknown

UNACCOUNTED FOR

Norman

Private Frank Carl Andruseasky
H/2/2nd Marines

Missing in action 11/20/1943
Declared dead 1/26/1944

UNACCOUNTED FOR

Andruseasky

PFC Henry Lutzow
K/3/2nd Marines

Killed in action 11/20/1943
USMC reported burial disposition unknown

UNACCOUNTED FOR

Lutzow

The Tarawa Cemeteries