Private Cletus Smith KIA
Hometown: Fort Worth, Texas
Command: 2nd Raider Battalion
Service # 347545
Awards: Purple Heart
Commander: Lt. Colonel Evans F. Carlson
Target Makin in the Gilbert Islands
Date Lost: 17-Aug-42
Location: Butaritari Island, Makin Atoll
Circumstances: KIA, Makin Atoll Raid
Private Smith was killed in combat with the Japanese during the Makin raid August 17 1942. After the battle Colonel Carlson made arrangements for the raiders killed during the raid to be buried by native islanders. Private Smiths body was buried on the island which remained in enemy hands after Carlson and the raiders departed for home. He was officially listed as KIA August 19 1943. The location of the burials on Makin was located in 1999. The remains of 19 Marines and an Islander were identified. Six Raider families including Private Smith claimed and buried remains privately; 13 others were interred at Arlington National Ceremony under a full-honors ceremony.
Virtual Cemetery of the " Makin Raiders KIA "
Private Cletus Smith KIA
Hometown: Fort Worth, Texas
Command: 2nd Raider Battalion
Service # 347545
Awards: Purple Heart
Commander: Lt. Colonel Evans F. Carlson
Target Makin in the Gilbert Islands
Date Lost: 17-Aug-42
Location: Butaritari Island, Makin Atoll
Circumstances: KIA, Makin Atoll Raid
Private Smith was killed in combat with the Japanese during the Makin raid August 17 1942. After the battle Colonel Carlson made arrangements for the raiders killed during the raid to be buried by native islanders. Private Smiths body was buried on the island which remained in enemy hands after Carlson and the raiders departed for home. He was officially listed as KIA August 19 1943. The location of the burials on Makin was located in 1999. The remains of 19 Marines and an Islander were identified. Six Raider families including Private Smith claimed and buried remains privately; 13 others were interred at Arlington National Ceremony under a full-honors ceremony.
Virtual Cemetery of the " Makin Raiders KIA "
Inscription
PVT, 2 RAIDER BN WORLD WAR II
Gravesite Details
MIA on the Makin raid. 1943 is when he was declared dead
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