Thomas Gapa was born in Kansas City, Kansas on 7 August 1921. He was part of a large family raised by Stanislaus and Mintie “Mary” Gapa, which eventually grew to include eleven children. However, Stanislaus died in 1936 and it seems that the family split apart somewhat. “Tommy” was sent to live at Father Edward J. Flanagan’s “Boys Town” in Omaha; by 1940, he was back in Kansas City and living in a foster home with Mrs. Montie Hermanson.

Gapa enlisted in the Marine Corps at Kansas City, Missouri on 16 December 1941. After completing boot camp at MCRD San Diego, he was assigned duty with Battery K, 10th Marines – a 155mm howitzer unit training at Camp Elliott, California.

Gapa earned his PFC stripe and went overseas with the 10th Marines; he participated in action at the battle of Guadalcanal. However, he lost his rating towards the end of 1942 and in January was transferred to the MP battalion of the Second Marine Division.

Private Gapa spent the spring of 1943 as a military policeman in New Zealand; he was occasionally in the brig, himself. Later in the summer, though, he transferred to Company B, First Battalion, 6th Marines. This duty seems to have suited him better; he re-gained his PFC rank during training for the next amphibious operation.

In late October, Gapa boarded the USS Feland and sailed from New Zealand for final maneuvers and training before Operation GALVANIC. The convoy planned a stop in the New Hebrides (Vanuatu) en route to the Gilbert Islands, and in early November anchored in Mele Bay.

On the morning of 9 November 1943, the Feland was lying to in the Reserve Transport Area in Mele Bay. At 0917 hours, the call of “man overboard” reached the bridge – a swimmer was in distress off the starboard bow. Feland lowered a boat to effect a rescue. Minutes later, the ship received orders to get underway.

When the boat returned empty handed, the Feland ordered all crew and embarked troops to their stations. A muster count revealed the missing man to be PFC Gapa; he was reported dead by drowning as of 0930 hours.

An inquiry into Gapa’s death revealed more details. He had gone over the side voluntarily – “swimming without authority” – rather than accidentally. When the Feland backed down, the churning water stirred up from the propellers pushed Gapa farther into the bay and out of reach of the rescue boat. The death was ruled to be the result of personal misconduct.

Divers attempted to recover Gapa’s body, but were ultimately unsuccessful.

CENOTAPHS
Manila American Cemetery & Memorial