Remains from WWII battle on Tarawa found - Page 2

**Pete** · 04-23-2009, 06:34

Good Work JJ_BKP

Give the guys - and yourself - a pat on the back from me.

Pete

JJ_BPK · 04-23-2009, 06:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete

Good Work JJ_BPK

Give the guys - and yourself - a pat on the back from me.

Pete

Thanks, but I want Mark Noah and Ted Darcy to get all the credit.

PS: I am not active on any the the USMC forums. If you think someone may benefit from this note, please feel free to re-publish. I only ask that you post a reference here,, so if I get a back-side email, I have some idea where it came from.. If that's OK with the Mods??

HOLLiS · 04-23-2009, 08:10

Thank you for a great post. There is a gentleman here in town, Ken Moser (if I spelled his name right) who received his commission on Tarawa. Very interesting man to talk too.

I have not seen him recently so I am not sure if he is still around.

Utah Bob · 04-23-2009, 08:10

Quote:

"The war was over and people wanted to move on," Noah said.

Seems I've heard that before.

Good for Mark and Ted! An honorable project.

Monsoon65 · 04-23-2009, 15:33

Great work!

My dad's cousin was hit on Tarawa. What's spooky is that he got the same wound that his dad got in World War One.

Retread · 04-23-2009, 15:42

Mr. Noah and Mr. Darcy are doing great things. I hope your uncle can rest easy soon. Semper Fi.

JJ_BPK · 12-06-2010, 12:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stras

JJ_BPK,

There was a special on the History Channel or Military Channel on Tarawa.

Stas

That History Channel show of the graves recovery effort, is a direct result of the work by Mark Noah, executive director of History Flight and Ted Darcy, of WFI Research Group.

Last June, Mark invited me to participate in the effort and go on the recovery mission. I declined.

I haven't had an update from Mark on the latest effort, but he was sure they would run tests in the area we suspect my uncle was buried in.

I moved the away from the POW / MIA Bracelets thread,, not needed..

http://www.professionalsoldiers.com/...270#post361270

Magnolia · 12-09-2010, 23:31

My grandfather was a Marine Corps infantry officer that landed in the initial invasion of Tarawa. He received a Silver Star and Purple Heart for his actions there before he was carried off the island like so many others. My father is named for two of his fellow Marines that were killed under his command.

Sometimes I think about just how close he came to never making it off that island and some of the things he must have seen there. Puts the daily grind in perspective.

Best of luck in your search.

JJ_BPK · 06-30-2015, 09:02

UPDATE:

Received a call from Mark Noah(c ref above).

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Histo...866254?fref=ts

It looks like they have recovered my uncle Jimmy.

Last year the History Flight finally found and was able to excavate "division cemetery 3" on Betio, Tarawa, Gilbert Islands, Republic of Kiribati.

It's a bit convoluted, but here goes:

They have identified one of several marines in one of the Betio plots, using his dog tag. It was completely rusted, but they were able to us metal forensics to "raise" the stampings.

That Marine, by virtue of the burial records, SHOULD be next to uncle Jim. They buried the Marines in a trench, side-by-side, head to foot.

The dental records of the next Marine look like a very good match for my uncle.

They now want a DNA sample from me to verify. As there are no females alive in the blood line, they will use advanced DNA test to map his to mine. So it may be a while before they can confirm the ID. If the next Marine in the plot matches the records it will be even more proof.

Because of the area on the island where the plot is, tidal water has washed the remains for some 70yrs. SO some are in very poor condition, some have their dog tags other don't.

The only salvation was the Navy CB's SCREWED UP,, They built a parking lot over the graves, with a 18inch base of coal dirt and black-top. It kept the graves from being disturbed. Some, but not all, of the graves are very well preserved..

The custom of the day was to bury Marines wrapped in their ponchos with the gear they had on. So, Some were buried with personal items, along with the standard TO&E.

Last year there was a movie of Betio and the recovery effort: "Return to Tarawa", 46 minutes long.. http://www.snagfilms.com/films/title/return_to_tarawa

Side bar: While looking at some of the posted pictures on FB, I spotted this fellow with that funny looking hat. Some of you may know Paul Schwimmer.

Beef · 07-01-2015, 10:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJ_BPK

UPDATE:

Received a call from Mark Noah(c ref above).

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Histo...866254?fref=ts

It looks like they have recovered my uncle Jimmy.

Last year the History Flight finally found and was able to excavate "division cemetery 3" on Betio, Tarawa, Gilbert Islands, Republic of Kiribati.

It's a bit convoluted, but here goes:

They have identified one of several marines in one of the Betio plots, using his dog tag. It was completely rusted, but they were able to us metal forensics to "raise" the stampings.

That Marine, by virtue of the burial records, SHOULD be next to uncle Jim. They buried the Marines in a trench, side-by-side, head to foot.

The dental records of the next Marine look like a very good match for my uncle.

They now want a DNA sample from me to verify. As there are no females alive in the blood line, they will use advanced DNA test to map his to mine. So it may be a while before they can confirm the ID. If the next Marine in the plot matches the records it will be even more proof.

Because of the area on the island where the plot is, tidal water has washed the remains for some 70yrs. SO some are in very poor condition, some have their dog tags other don't.

The only salvation was the Navy CB's SCREWED UP,, They built a parking lot over the graves, with a 18inch base of coal dirt and black-top. It kept the graves from being disturbed. Some, but not all, of the graves are very well preserved..

The custom of the day was to bury Marines wrapped in their ponchos with the gear they had on. So, Some were buried with personal items, along with the standard TO&E.

Last year there was a movie of Betio and the recovery effort: "Return to Tarawa", 46 minutes long.. http://www.snagfilms.com/films/title/return_to_tarawa

Side bar: While looking at some of the posted pictures on FB, I spotted this fellow with that funny looking hat. Some of you may know Paul Schwimmer.

Great news, JJ! It is wonderful to hear that they've found your uncle and the other Marines in his plot. I had seen an article in "The Drop" on those guys, featuring Paul. I cut it out. That's going to be my retirement "job" in about 4 years. Maybe sooner, since I can make some of their 10-14 day trips now.

**PRB** · 07-01-2015, 11:39

Great news and important news too.
Great respect for those that do not forget.

Monsoon65 · 07-02-2015, 17:02

Great news!!

**Pete** · 07-05-2015, 10:40

Great News

Gypsy · 07-05-2015, 17:29

I hope they are able to positively ID your uncle JJ_BPK!

The paving over of the graves is very disturbing...but seemingly a blessing in disguise.

JJ_BPK · 07-05-2015, 18:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gypsy

I hope they are able to positively ID your uncle JJ_BPK!

The paving over of the graves is very disturbing...but seemingly a blessing in disguise.

Today's Betio is not what the Marines found in 1943.

Here are two pic.

The satellite pic is a hi-res composite to show the current population, which is over 15,700..

The aerial was taken a couple days after the battle.