William "R." Nicar
PFC William R. “Bill” Nicar served with Item Company, Third Battalion, 2nd Marines.
He was killed in action at Betio, Tarawa atoll, on 20 November 1943.
Branch
Marine Corps Regular
Service Number 330432
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
This case is under Active Pursuit by the DPAA.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
November 5, 1923
at Enid, OK
Parents
William Wesley Nicar (d. 1924)
Violet (Kutz) Nicar
Education
Enid High School (ex-1942)
Occupation & Employer
High school student
Service Life
Entered Service
December 8, 1941
at Oklahoma City, OK
Home Of Record
815 East Cherokee Street
Enid, OK
Next Of Kin
Mother, Mrs. Violet Nicar
Military Specialty
—
Primary Unit
I/3/2nd Marines
Campaigns Served
Solomon Islands
Tarawa
Individual Decorations
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
—
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
PFC William Nicar served with Item Company, 2nd Marines in the Solomon Islands and the Tarawa campaign.
On 20 November 1943, Nicar’s 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.
PFC Nicar was killed in action on the day of the landings by multiple gunshot wounds. His death was verified by a surviving company officer, but the disposition of his remains was not known.
Burial Information or Disposition
No information recorded; identifiable remains not recovered.
A memorial marker was erected at Cemetery 11, Grave 7, Row 3, Plot 1.
Next Of Kin Address
Address of mother, Mrs. Violet Nicar.
Location Of Loss
PFC Nicar’s battalion was engaged in the vicinity of Beach Red One.
