Varden Afton Williams
Private Varden A. Williams served with Love Company, Third Battalion, 2nd Marines.
He was reported missing in action at Betio, Tarawa atoll, on 20 November 1943.
Branch
Marine Corps Reserve
Service Number 489835
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
This case is under Active Pursuit by the DPAA.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
March 2, 1920
at Georgetown, KY
Parents
Eli W. Williams
Erie Williams
Education
Georgetown High School (ex-1938)
Ahrens Trade School (1942)
Occupation & Employer
Clerk (Hoosier Ordnance Plant)
Goodyear Engineering Corp.
Service Life
Entered Service
November 28, 1942
at Louisville, KY
Home Of Record
510 Poplar Street
Georgetown, KY
Next Of Kin
Father, Mr. Eli W. Williams
Military Specialty
Rifleman
Primary Unit
L/3/2nd Marines
Campaigns Served
Tarawa
Individual Decorations
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
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Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
Private Varden Williams served with Love Company, 2nd Marines during the the battle of Tarawa.
On 20 November 1943, Williams’ battalion was assigned the task of spearheading the assault on Betio’s Beach Red One – a curved stretch of sand running several hundred yards from the “bird’s beak” in the west to Red Two in the east. The natural shape of the beach created a crossfire for the defenders, and the area became known as “the Pocket.” Slow-moving landing craft were quickly targeted from multiple angles, and many were knocked out as they approached the shore. Hundreds of men were killed or wounded before stepping foot on dry land. Those who survived faced a network of obstacles manned by determined Japanese defenders, and the fighting was close-in and savage.
Love Company, designated as the battalion reserve and embarked in boats instead of tractors, faced an especially horrific ordeal. “LCVs grounded on the reef about 500 yards from the beach and [the men] disembarked into the water,” states the battalion report. “They were heavily hit both by machine gun and large caliber fire while in the water. Most of the fire came from the left, so as a consequence , the company landed on the right half of Beach Red 1. The casualties to this company at this time amounted to about 35%.”
Private Williams was last seen alive during this landing operation – and his final moments made a big impression.
Williams landed on the beach at H-hour plus 20 minutes. His company was landed at the edge of the reef from landing boats and was forced to wade ashore across the fire-swept reef. Many of his comrades were casualties but Williams, with Sergeant [Bernard] King reached the beach unscathed.
After being on the beach for approximately 15 minutes, a Jap tank came up the beach attacking Marines in this sector. Williams, with another rifle grenadier, fired at the tank until it was knocked out of action. Sergeant King in the meantime had gone to round up other men of his squad who had become scattered during the landing. Williams was at the time beside the sea-wall removing his grenade launcher and preparing to rejoin his squad. King signaled Williams to follow, then crawled back to the rest of the men.
That was the last seen of Williams. As Sergeant King crawled inland, a heavy mortar barrage fell on the beach area where Williams had been. It is believed he was killed by these mortar shells.
The Sergeant further states that Williams was an excellent Marine and did a good job at Tarawa – that is certainly borne out by the above story. Sergeant King, unfortunately, is the only survivor of Williams' squad.
Because there were no direct eyewitnesses to Williams’ death, he was reported as missing in action after the battle. Several weeks
later, when it was clear he could not have survived, his status was
changed to killed in action as of 20 November 1943.
Burial Information or Disposition
None recorded; reported as missing in action, and no identifiable remains were recovered.
A memorial marker was erected in Cemetery 33, Grave 15, Row 3, Plot 15.
Next Of Kin Address
Address of father, Mr. Eli Williams.
Location Of Loss
Private Williams’ battalion was engaged in the vicinity of Beach Red One.
