Marine Corps PFC James Ottis Whitehurst, killed in World War II, has finally been returned to his family and, on April 12, 2017, laid to rest - in American soil - with full military honors.
Born January 11, 1923, in Blakely, Georgia, James Ottis Whitehurst was the oldest son, and 2nd of 4 children, blessed to the union of Benjamin "Ernest" & Mary Delilah "Dee" (nee Grimes) Whitehurst.
On May 20, 1941, the 72", 160 lbs, blue-eyed brunette enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. A week later he took a long train ride west to complete training. He was stationed in San Diego, California until being shipping out into the Pacific Theater to face Japanese Imperial forces.
Following the Battle of Guadalcanal, the guys enjoyed the sights, scenes and hospitality of Wellington, New Zealand. There, many received medical treatment for tropical ailments, such as malaria; while some continued to suffer wounds - of all kinds - dealt by their Japanese foes. Marines coming fresh from the United States would fill in the ranks. Before they shipped out, Ottis and his fellow veterans also explained carefully all that the Japanese - and the Solomons - had just taught the Battalion.
Private First Class Whitehurst was with his brothers in Easy Company, 2nd Battalion of the 8th Marines (E-2/8) when they landed on Betio as part of Operation: GALVANIC. The mission of the 2nd Marine Division was to secure the island in order to control the Japanese airstrip in the Tarawa Atoll; thereby preventing the Japanese Imperial forces from getting closer to the United States, and enabling US forces to get closer to mainland Japan. It would become one of the bloodiest battles in the Corps history.
It was November 20, 1943 (D-Day for the "Battle of Tarawa"), when young Ottis - just 20 years old - perished. He was reportedly soon buried in Cemetery 33, Main Marine Cemetery, on Betio Island - a temporary location chosen by his fellow Marines, the survivors of the battle, until the Fallen could be recovered and returned to their families.
Having a loved one away from home during the holidays is always trying; however, having a son off fighting in the war left the whole family on edge. The fact that this battle took place just before Thanksgiving meant that most of the families, who had unknowingly earned their Gold Star, would receive their heart-wrenching telegrams on Christmas Eve – some Christmas Day or even New Years Day.
For his service and sacrifice, Ottis' father accepted his awards and decorations, including:
- Purple Heart
- Combat Action Ribbon
- World War II Victory Medal
- American Campaign Medal
- Marine Corps Presidential Unit Citation
- Asiatic-Pacific Theater Campaign Medal
- Marine Corp Expeditionary Medal, and
- Gold Star Lapel Button.
Also left to mourn his passing were siblings, Edith Maude (Mrs David Palmer), Edna "Odessa" (Mrs Charles Odom) and Edward "E. D." Whitehurst. (Their mother had died in childbirth as Edward was welcomed into the world.)
Despite the heavy casualties suffered by U.S. forces, military success in the battle of Tarawa was a huge victory for the U.S. military because the Gilbert Islands provided the U.S. Navy Pacific Fleet a platform from which to launch assaults on the Marshall and Caroline Islands to advance their Central Pacific Campaign against Japan.
In the immediate aftermath of the fighting on Tarawa, U.S. service members who died in the battle were buried in a number of battlefield cemeteries on the island. In 1946 and 1947, the 604th Quartermaster Graves Registration Company conducted remains recovery operations on Betio, but PFC Whitehurst's remains were not recovered. In 1949, a military Board of Review declared Ottis "non-recoverable".
In June 2015, History Flight, in partnership with the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, notified the DPAA that they had discovered a burial site on Betio Island and recovered the remains of what they believed were 35 U.S. Marines who fought during the battle in November 1943. The remains were turned over to DPAA in July 2015 for official analysis.
On July 19, 2016, Jennifer Morrison, independent volunteer forensic genealogist, found the family of PFC Whitehurst and put them in contact with the Marine Corps POW/MIA Section. This (re)established lines of communication with Ottis' family regarding the ongoing recovery and repatriation efforts, and offered Charles Odom the opportunity to provide a Family Reference DNA Sample, should it be necessary for his Uncle Ottis' identification.
On January 4, 2017, the DPAA officially accounted-for PFC Whitehurst, and soon after his family received "The Call" from the Marines.
To identify his remains, DPAA scientists used dental and anthropological analysis, which matched Ottis' military medical records, as well as circumstantial and material evidence.
Ottis was finally returned to his family and, on April 12, 2017, laid to rest at Cowarts Cemetery, in Cowarts, Alabama, with full military honors.
Survivors include nephews, Larry (Jan) Palmer of Pansey AL, Charles Odom of Dothan AL and Paul Odom of Orlando FL; nieces, Delilah (Tony) Deese of Dothan AL, Paula (Frankie) Jackson of Skipperville AL and Pam (Myer) Holloway of Cowarts AL and sister-in-law, Doris C. Whitehurst of Cowarts AL.
Marine Corps Private First Class James Ottis Whitehurst is memorialized among the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific's Honolulu Memorial. Although he has now been recovered and identified, PFC Whitehurst's name shall remains permanently inscribed within Court 4 of the "Courts of the Missing". A rosette has been placed next to his name to indicate that Ottis has finally been found (56135292, a cenotaph).
NEWS ARTICLES
"WWII hero James Ottis Whitehurst finally laid to rest" Dothan Eagle
"Remains of Ashford man killed during World War Two headed home" WTVY
"Missing WWII Marine's remains to be brought home April 11" Dothan Eagle
"Remains of Marine killed during WWII being returned to Ashford" Dothan Eagle
SOURCE
Marine Corps POW/MIA Section
DPAA: Recent News & Stories (Jan 6, 2017)
DPAA Release No: 17-023 (April 5, 2017)
American Battle Monuments Commission
Jennifer Morrison, independent volunteer forensic genealogist
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Note from the memorial maintainer:
I am grateful to Chuck Williams & Hattie Johnson (USMC POW/MIA Section), History Flight and the DPAA for their efforts in bringing my Marine home. "It takes a village!"
Born January 11, 1923, in Blakely, Georgia, James Ottis Whitehurst was the oldest son, and 2nd of 4 children, blessed to the union of Benjamin "Ernest" & Mary Delilah "Dee" (nee Grimes) Whitehurst.
On May 20, 1941, the 72", 160 lbs, blue-eyed brunette enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. A week later he took a long train ride west to complete training. He was stationed in San Diego, California until being shipping out into the Pacific Theater to face Japanese Imperial forces.
Following the Battle of Guadalcanal, the guys enjoyed the sights, scenes and hospitality of Wellington, New Zealand. There, many received medical treatment for tropical ailments, such as malaria; while some continued to suffer wounds - of all kinds - dealt by their Japanese foes. Marines coming fresh from the United States would fill in the ranks. Before they shipped out, Ottis and his fellow veterans also explained carefully all that the Japanese - and the Solomons - had just taught the Battalion.
Private First Class Whitehurst was with his brothers in Easy Company, 2nd Battalion of the 8th Marines (E-2/8) when they landed on Betio as part of Operation: GALVANIC. The mission of the 2nd Marine Division was to secure the island in order to control the Japanese airstrip in the Tarawa Atoll; thereby preventing the Japanese Imperial forces from getting closer to the United States, and enabling US forces to get closer to mainland Japan. It would become one of the bloodiest battles in the Corps history.
It was November 20, 1943 (D-Day for the "Battle of Tarawa"), when young Ottis - just 20 years old - perished. He was reportedly soon buried in Cemetery 33, Main Marine Cemetery, on Betio Island - a temporary location chosen by his fellow Marines, the survivors of the battle, until the Fallen could be recovered and returned to their families.
Having a loved one away from home during the holidays is always trying; however, having a son off fighting in the war left the whole family on edge. The fact that this battle took place just before Thanksgiving meant that most of the families, who had unknowingly earned their Gold Star, would receive their heart-wrenching telegrams on Christmas Eve – some Christmas Day or even New Years Day.
For his service and sacrifice, Ottis' father accepted his awards and decorations, including:
- Purple Heart
- Combat Action Ribbon
- World War II Victory Medal
- American Campaign Medal
- Marine Corps Presidential Unit Citation
- Asiatic-Pacific Theater Campaign Medal
- Marine Corp Expeditionary Medal, and
- Gold Star Lapel Button.
Also left to mourn his passing were siblings, Edith Maude (Mrs David Palmer), Edna "Odessa" (Mrs Charles Odom) and Edward "E. D." Whitehurst. (Their mother had died in childbirth as Edward was welcomed into the world.)
Despite the heavy casualties suffered by U.S. forces, military success in the battle of Tarawa was a huge victory for the U.S. military because the Gilbert Islands provided the U.S. Navy Pacific Fleet a platform from which to launch assaults on the Marshall and Caroline Islands to advance their Central Pacific Campaign against Japan.
In the immediate aftermath of the fighting on Tarawa, U.S. service members who died in the battle were buried in a number of battlefield cemeteries on the island. In 1946 and 1947, the 604th Quartermaster Graves Registration Company conducted remains recovery operations on Betio, but PFC Whitehurst's remains were not recovered. In 1949, a military Board of Review declared Ottis "non-recoverable".
In June 2015, History Flight, in partnership with the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, notified the DPAA that they had discovered a burial site on Betio Island and recovered the remains of what they believed were 35 U.S. Marines who fought during the battle in November 1943. The remains were turned over to DPAA in July 2015 for official analysis.
On July 19, 2016, Jennifer Morrison, independent volunteer forensic genealogist, found the family of PFC Whitehurst and put them in contact with the Marine Corps POW/MIA Section. This (re)established lines of communication with Ottis' family regarding the ongoing recovery and repatriation efforts, and offered Charles Odom the opportunity to provide a Family Reference DNA Sample, should it be necessary for his Uncle Ottis' identification.
On January 4, 2017, the DPAA officially accounted-for PFC Whitehurst, and soon after his family received "The Call" from the Marines.
To identify his remains, DPAA scientists used dental and anthropological analysis, which matched Ottis' military medical records, as well as circumstantial and material evidence.
Ottis was finally returned to his family and, on April 12, 2017, laid to rest at Cowarts Cemetery, in Cowarts, Alabama, with full military honors.
Survivors include nephews, Larry (Jan) Palmer of Pansey AL, Charles Odom of Dothan AL and Paul Odom of Orlando FL; nieces, Delilah (Tony) Deese of Dothan AL, Paula (Frankie) Jackson of Skipperville AL and Pam (Myer) Holloway of Cowarts AL and sister-in-law, Doris C. Whitehurst of Cowarts AL.
Marine Corps Private First Class James Ottis Whitehurst is memorialized among the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific's Honolulu Memorial. Although he has now been recovered and identified, PFC Whitehurst's name shall remains permanently inscribed within Court 4 of the "Courts of the Missing". A rosette has been placed next to his name to indicate that Ottis has finally been found (56135292, a cenotaph).
NEWS ARTICLES
"WWII hero James Ottis Whitehurst finally laid to rest" Dothan Eagle
"Remains of Ashford man killed during World War Two headed home" WTVY
"Missing WWII Marine's remains to be brought home April 11" Dothan Eagle
"Remains of Marine killed during WWII being returned to Ashford" Dothan Eagle
SOURCE
Marine Corps POW/MIA Section
DPAA: Recent News & Stories (Jan 6, 2017)
DPAA Release No: 17-023 (April 5, 2017)
American Battle Monuments Commission
Jennifer Morrison, independent volunteer forensic genealogist
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Note from the memorial maintainer:
I am grateful to Chuck Williams & Hattie Johnson (USMC POW/MIA Section), History Flight and the DPAA for their efforts in bringing my Marine home. "It takes a village!"
Marine Corps PFC James Ottis Whitehurst, killed in World War II, has finally been returned to his family and, on April 12, 2017, laid to rest - in American soil - with full military honors.
Born January 11, 1923, in Blakely, Georgia, James Ottis Whitehurst was the oldest son, and 2nd of 4 children, blessed to the union of Benjamin "Ernest" & Mary Delilah "Dee" (nee Grimes) Whitehurst.
On May 20, 1941, the 72", 160 lbs, blue-eyed brunette enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. A week later he took a long train ride west to complete training. He was stationed in San Diego, California until being shipping out into the Pacific Theater to face Japanese Imperial forces.
Following the Battle of Guadalcanal, the guys enjoyed the sights, scenes and hospitality of Wellington, New Zealand. There, many received medical treatment for tropical ailments, such as malaria; while some continued to suffer wounds - of all kinds - dealt by their Japanese foes. Marines coming fresh from the United States would fill in the ranks. Before they shipped out, Ottis and his fellow veterans also explained carefully all that the Japanese - and the Solomons - had just taught the Battalion.
Private First Class Whitehurst was with his brothers in Easy Company, 2nd Battalion of the 8th Marines (E-2/8) when they landed on Betio as part of Operation: GALVANIC. The mission of the 2nd Marine Division was to secure the island in order to control the Japanese airstrip in the Tarawa Atoll; thereby preventing the Japanese Imperial forces from getting closer to the United States, and enabling US forces to get closer to mainland Japan. It would become one of the bloodiest battles in the Corps history.
It was November 20, 1943 (D-Day for the "Battle of Tarawa"), when young Ottis - just 20 years old - perished. He was reportedly soon buried in Cemetery 33, Main Marine Cemetery, on Betio Island - a temporary location chosen by his fellow Marines, the survivors of the battle, until the Fallen could be recovered and returned to their families.
Having a loved one away from home during the holidays is always trying; however, having a son off fighting in the war left the whole family on edge. The fact that this battle took place just before Thanksgiving meant that most of the families, who had unknowingly earned their Gold Star, would receive their heart-wrenching telegrams on Christmas Eve – some Christmas Day or even New Years Day.
For his service and sacrifice, Ottis' father accepted his awards and decorations, including:
- Purple Heart
- Combat Action Ribbon
- World War II Victory Medal
- American Campaign Medal
- Marine Corps Presidential Unit Citation
- Asiatic-Pacific Theater Campaign Medal
- Marine Corp Expeditionary Medal, and
- Gold Star Lapel Button.
Also left to mourn his passing were siblings, Edith Maude (Mrs David Palmer), Edna "Odessa" (Mrs Charles Odom) and Edward "E. D." Whitehurst. (Their mother had died in childbirth as Edward was welcomed into the world.)
Despite the heavy casualties suffered by U.S. forces, military success in the battle of Tarawa was a huge victory for the U.S. military because the Gilbert Islands provided the U.S. Navy Pacific Fleet a platform from which to launch assaults on the Marshall and Caroline Islands to advance their Central Pacific Campaign against Japan.
In the immediate aftermath of the fighting on Tarawa, U.S. service members who died in the battle were buried in a number of battlefield cemeteries on the island. In 1946 and 1947, the 604th Quartermaster Graves Registration Company conducted remains recovery operations on Betio, but PFC Whitehurst's remains were not recovered. In 1949, a military Board of Review declared Ottis "non-recoverable".
In June 2015, History Flight, in partnership with the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, notified the DPAA that they had discovered a burial site on Betio Island and recovered the remains of what they believed were 35 U.S. Marines who fought during the battle in November 1943. The remains were turned over to DPAA in July 2015 for official analysis.
On July 19, 2016, Jennifer Morrison, independent volunteer forensic genealogist, found the family of PFC Whitehurst and put them in contact with the Marine Corps POW/MIA Section. This (re)established lines of communication with Ottis' family regarding the ongoing recovery and repatriation efforts, and offered Charles Odom the opportunity to provide a Family Reference DNA Sample, should it be necessary for his Uncle Ottis' identification.
On January 4, 2017, the DPAA officially accounted-for PFC Whitehurst, and soon after his family received "The Call" from the Marines.
To identify his remains, DPAA scientists used dental and anthropological analysis, which matched Ottis' military medical records, as well as circumstantial and material evidence.
Ottis was finally returned to his family and, on April 12, 2017, laid to rest at Cowarts Cemetery, in Cowarts, Alabama, with full military honors.
Survivors include nephews, Larry (Jan) Palmer of Pansey AL, Charles Odom of Dothan AL and Paul Odom of Orlando FL; nieces, Delilah (Tony) Deese of Dothan AL, Paula (Frankie) Jackson of Skipperville AL and Pam (Myer) Holloway of Cowarts AL and sister-in-law, Doris C. Whitehurst of Cowarts AL.
Marine Corps Private First Class James Ottis Whitehurst is memorialized among the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific's Honolulu Memorial. Although he has now been recovered and identified, PFC Whitehurst's name shall remains permanently inscribed within Court 4 of the "Courts of the Missing". A rosette has been placed next to his name to indicate that Ottis has finally been found (56135292, a cenotaph).
NEWS ARTICLES
"WWII hero James Ottis Whitehurst finally laid to rest" Dothan Eagle
"Remains of Ashford man killed during World War Two headed home" WTVY
"Missing WWII Marine's remains to be brought home April 11" Dothan Eagle
"Remains of Marine killed during WWII being returned to Ashford" Dothan Eagle
SOURCE
Marine Corps POW/MIA Section
DPAA: Recent News & Stories (Jan 6, 2017)
DPAA Release No: 17-023 (April 5, 2017)
American Battle Monuments Commission
Jennifer Morrison, independent volunteer forensic genealogist
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Note from the memorial maintainer:
I am grateful to Chuck Williams & Hattie Johnson (USMC POW/MIA Section), History Flight and the DPAA for their efforts in bringing my Marine home. "It takes a village!"
Born January 11, 1923, in Blakely, Georgia, James Ottis Whitehurst was the oldest son, and 2nd of 4 children, blessed to the union of Benjamin "Ernest" & Mary Delilah "Dee" (nee Grimes) Whitehurst.
On May 20, 1941, the 72", 160 lbs, blue-eyed brunette enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. A week later he took a long train ride west to complete training. He was stationed in San Diego, California until being shipping out into the Pacific Theater to face Japanese Imperial forces.
Following the Battle of Guadalcanal, the guys enjoyed the sights, scenes and hospitality of Wellington, New Zealand. There, many received medical treatment for tropical ailments, such as malaria; while some continued to suffer wounds - of all kinds - dealt by their Japanese foes. Marines coming fresh from the United States would fill in the ranks. Before they shipped out, Ottis and his fellow veterans also explained carefully all that the Japanese - and the Solomons - had just taught the Battalion.
Private First Class Whitehurst was with his brothers in Easy Company, 2nd Battalion of the 8th Marines (E-2/8) when they landed on Betio as part of Operation: GALVANIC. The mission of the 2nd Marine Division was to secure the island in order to control the Japanese airstrip in the Tarawa Atoll; thereby preventing the Japanese Imperial forces from getting closer to the United States, and enabling US forces to get closer to mainland Japan. It would become one of the bloodiest battles in the Corps history.
It was November 20, 1943 (D-Day for the "Battle of Tarawa"), when young Ottis - just 20 years old - perished. He was reportedly soon buried in Cemetery 33, Main Marine Cemetery, on Betio Island - a temporary location chosen by his fellow Marines, the survivors of the battle, until the Fallen could be recovered and returned to their families.
Having a loved one away from home during the holidays is always trying; however, having a son off fighting in the war left the whole family on edge. The fact that this battle took place just before Thanksgiving meant that most of the families, who had unknowingly earned their Gold Star, would receive their heart-wrenching telegrams on Christmas Eve – some Christmas Day or even New Years Day.
For his service and sacrifice, Ottis' father accepted his awards and decorations, including:
- Purple Heart
- Combat Action Ribbon
- World War II Victory Medal
- American Campaign Medal
- Marine Corps Presidential Unit Citation
- Asiatic-Pacific Theater Campaign Medal
- Marine Corp Expeditionary Medal, and
- Gold Star Lapel Button.
Also left to mourn his passing were siblings, Edith Maude (Mrs David Palmer), Edna "Odessa" (Mrs Charles Odom) and Edward "E. D." Whitehurst. (Their mother had died in childbirth as Edward was welcomed into the world.)
Despite the heavy casualties suffered by U.S. forces, military success in the battle of Tarawa was a huge victory for the U.S. military because the Gilbert Islands provided the U.S. Navy Pacific Fleet a platform from which to launch assaults on the Marshall and Caroline Islands to advance their Central Pacific Campaign against Japan.
In the immediate aftermath of the fighting on Tarawa, U.S. service members who died in the battle were buried in a number of battlefield cemeteries on the island. In 1946 and 1947, the 604th Quartermaster Graves Registration Company conducted remains recovery operations on Betio, but PFC Whitehurst's remains were not recovered. In 1949, a military Board of Review declared Ottis "non-recoverable".
In June 2015, History Flight, in partnership with the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, notified the DPAA that they had discovered a burial site on Betio Island and recovered the remains of what they believed were 35 U.S. Marines who fought during the battle in November 1943. The remains were turned over to DPAA in July 2015 for official analysis.
On July 19, 2016, Jennifer Morrison, independent volunteer forensic genealogist, found the family of PFC Whitehurst and put them in contact with the Marine Corps POW/MIA Section. This (re)established lines of communication with Ottis' family regarding the ongoing recovery and repatriation efforts, and offered Charles Odom the opportunity to provide a Family Reference DNA Sample, should it be necessary for his Uncle Ottis' identification.
On January 4, 2017, the DPAA officially accounted-for PFC Whitehurst, and soon after his family received "The Call" from the Marines.
To identify his remains, DPAA scientists used dental and anthropological analysis, which matched Ottis' military medical records, as well as circumstantial and material evidence.
Ottis was finally returned to his family and, on April 12, 2017, laid to rest at Cowarts Cemetery, in Cowarts, Alabama, with full military honors.
Survivors include nephews, Larry (Jan) Palmer of Pansey AL, Charles Odom of Dothan AL and Paul Odom of Orlando FL; nieces, Delilah (Tony) Deese of Dothan AL, Paula (Frankie) Jackson of Skipperville AL and Pam (Myer) Holloway of Cowarts AL and sister-in-law, Doris C. Whitehurst of Cowarts AL.
Marine Corps Private First Class James Ottis Whitehurst is memorialized among the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific's Honolulu Memorial. Although he has now been recovered and identified, PFC Whitehurst's name shall remains permanently inscribed within Court 4 of the "Courts of the Missing". A rosette has been placed next to his name to indicate that Ottis has finally been found (56135292, a cenotaph).
NEWS ARTICLES
"WWII hero James Ottis Whitehurst finally laid to rest" Dothan Eagle
"Remains of Ashford man killed during World War Two headed home" WTVY
"Missing WWII Marine's remains to be brought home April 11" Dothan Eagle
"Remains of Marine killed during WWII being returned to Ashford" Dothan Eagle
SOURCE
Marine Corps POW/MIA Section
DPAA: Recent News & Stories (Jan 6, 2017)
DPAA Release No: 17-023 (April 5, 2017)
American Battle Monuments Commission
Jennifer Morrison, independent volunteer forensic genealogist
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Note from the memorial maintainer:
I am grateful to Chuck Williams & Hattie Johnson (USMC POW/MIA Section), History Flight and the DPAA for their efforts in bringing my Marine home. "It takes a village!"
Inscription
JAMES OTTIS WHITEHURST /
US MARINE CORPS /
JAN 11 1923 ... NOV 20 1943 /
Family Members
Other Records
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