USMCR World War II
PFC Olan Ard KIA (Multiple Fragmentation Wounds) Gilbert Is, November 20, 1943
Unit Company A, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines, 2d Marine Division, FMF
Hometown: Macon, Georgia
Mother, Mrs. Sallie Ard
service# 407366
Awards: World War II Victory Medal, Purple Heart
Details of career here.
The 2nd Marine Division was officially organized on February 1, 1941 at Camp Elliott, California by change of designation from the 2nd Marine Brigade. 2d Marines, reinforced.
D-Day at Betio, 20 November 1943 1st/2 marines: Maj Wood B. Kyle on call as the regimental reserve.
Several echelons heard this ominous early report from an unknown source: "Have landed. Unusually heavy opposition. Casualties 70 per cent. Can't hold." Shoup ordered Kyle's LT 1/2, the regimental reserve, to land on Red Beach Two and work west. companies A and B, but the third infantry company and the weapons company would have to wade ashore. The ensuing assault was chaotic. Many of the LVTs were destroyed enroute by antiboat guns which increasingly had the range down pat. At least five vehicles were driven away by the intense fire and landed west at Ryan's position, adding another 113 troops to Green Beach. What was left of Companies A and B stormed ashore and penetrated several hundred feet, expanding the "perimeter." Other troops sought refuge along the pier or tried to commandeer a passing LVT. Kyle got ashore in this fashion, but many of his troops did not complete the landing until the following morning. The experience of Lieutenant George D. Lillibridge of Company A, 1st Battalion, 2d Marines, was typical. His LVT driver and gunners were shot down by machine gun fire. The surviving crewman got the stranded vehicle started again, but only in reverse. The stricken vehicle then backed wildly though the entire impact zone before breaking down again. Lillibridge and his men did not get ashore until sunset.
PFC Olan Ard KIA (Multiple Fragmentation Wounds) Gilbert Is, November 20, 1943
Unit Company A, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines, 2d Marine Division, FMF
Hometown: Macon, Georgia
Mother, Mrs. Sallie Ard
service# 407366
Awards: World War II Victory Medal, Purple Heart
Details of career here.
The 2nd Marine Division was officially organized on February 1, 1941 at Camp Elliott, California by change of designation from the 2nd Marine Brigade. 2d Marines, reinforced.
D-Day at Betio, 20 November 1943 1st/2 marines: Maj Wood B. Kyle on call as the regimental reserve.
Several echelons heard this ominous early report from an unknown source: "Have landed. Unusually heavy opposition. Casualties 70 per cent. Can't hold." Shoup ordered Kyle's LT 1/2, the regimental reserve, to land on Red Beach Two and work west. companies A and B, but the third infantry company and the weapons company would have to wade ashore. The ensuing assault was chaotic. Many of the LVTs were destroyed enroute by antiboat guns which increasingly had the range down pat. At least five vehicles were driven away by the intense fire and landed west at Ryan's position, adding another 113 troops to Green Beach. What was left of Companies A and B stormed ashore and penetrated several hundred feet, expanding the "perimeter." Other troops sought refuge along the pier or tried to commandeer a passing LVT. Kyle got ashore in this fashion, but many of his troops did not complete the landing until the following morning. The experience of Lieutenant George D. Lillibridge of Company A, 1st Battalion, 2d Marines, was typical. His LVT driver and gunners were shot down by machine gun fire. The surviving crewman got the stranded vehicle started again, but only in reverse. The stricken vehicle then backed wildly though the entire impact zone before breaking down again. Lillibridge and his men did not get ashore until sunset.
USMCR World War II
PFC Olan Ard KIA (Multiple Fragmentation Wounds) Gilbert Is, November 20, 1943
Unit Company A, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines, 2d Marine Division, FMF
Hometown: Macon, Georgia
Mother, Mrs. Sallie Ard
service# 407366
Awards: World War II Victory Medal, Purple Heart
Details of career here.
The 2nd Marine Division was officially organized on February 1, 1941 at Camp Elliott, California by change of designation from the 2nd Marine Brigade. 2d Marines, reinforced.
D-Day at Betio, 20 November 1943 1st/2 marines: Maj Wood B. Kyle on call as the regimental reserve.
Several echelons heard this ominous early report from an unknown source: "Have landed. Unusually heavy opposition. Casualties 70 per cent. Can't hold." Shoup ordered Kyle's LT 1/2, the regimental reserve, to land on Red Beach Two and work west. companies A and B, but the third infantry company and the weapons company would have to wade ashore. The ensuing assault was chaotic. Many of the LVTs were destroyed enroute by antiboat guns which increasingly had the range down pat. At least five vehicles were driven away by the intense fire and landed west at Ryan's position, adding another 113 troops to Green Beach. What was left of Companies A and B stormed ashore and penetrated several hundred feet, expanding the "perimeter." Other troops sought refuge along the pier or tried to commandeer a passing LVT. Kyle got ashore in this fashion, but many of his troops did not complete the landing until the following morning. The experience of Lieutenant George D. Lillibridge of Company A, 1st Battalion, 2d Marines, was typical. His LVT driver and gunners were shot down by machine gun fire. The surviving crewman got the stranded vehicle started again, but only in reverse. The stricken vehicle then backed wildly though the entire impact zone before breaking down again. Lillibridge and his men did not get ashore until sunset.
PFC Olan Ard KIA (Multiple Fragmentation Wounds) Gilbert Is, November 20, 1943
Unit Company A, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines, 2d Marine Division, FMF
Hometown: Macon, Georgia
Mother, Mrs. Sallie Ard
service# 407366
Awards: World War II Victory Medal, Purple Heart
Details of career here.
The 2nd Marine Division was officially organized on February 1, 1941 at Camp Elliott, California by change of designation from the 2nd Marine Brigade. 2d Marines, reinforced.
D-Day at Betio, 20 November 1943 1st/2 marines: Maj Wood B. Kyle on call as the regimental reserve.
Several echelons heard this ominous early report from an unknown source: "Have landed. Unusually heavy opposition. Casualties 70 per cent. Can't hold." Shoup ordered Kyle's LT 1/2, the regimental reserve, to land on Red Beach Two and work west. companies A and B, but the third infantry company and the weapons company would have to wade ashore. The ensuing assault was chaotic. Many of the LVTs were destroyed enroute by antiboat guns which increasingly had the range down pat. At least five vehicles were driven away by the intense fire and landed west at Ryan's position, adding another 113 troops to Green Beach. What was left of Companies A and B stormed ashore and penetrated several hundred feet, expanding the "perimeter." Other troops sought refuge along the pier or tried to commandeer a passing LVT. Kyle got ashore in this fashion, but many of his troops did not complete the landing until the following morning. The experience of Lieutenant George D. Lillibridge of Company A, 1st Battalion, 2d Marines, was typical. His LVT driver and gunners were shot down by machine gun fire. The surviving crewman got the stranded vehicle started again, but only in reverse. The stricken vehicle then backed wildly though the entire impact zone before breaking down again. Lillibridge and his men did not get ashore until sunset.
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GEORGIA
PFC 2 REGT USMC 2 DIV
WORLD WAR II
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