United States Marine Corps WW2
Corporal James W. Beecher MIA/KIA
Hometown: Baxley, Georgia
Father, Mr. Shelton Beecher
Command: Company B, 2nd Raider Battalion
Service # 299268
Awards: Purple Heart
Commander: Lt. Colonel Evans F. Carlson
Target Makin in the Gilbert Islands
Date Lost: 17-Aug-42 MIA/KIA
Official date of death August 19 1943
Location: Butaritari Island, Makin Atoll
Circumstances: KIA, Makin Atoll Raid
Sgt. Beecher 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. Sgt. Beechers 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 Beecher claimed and buried remains privately; the 13 others were interred at Arlington National Ceremony under a full-honors ceremony. The location of Corporal Beechers final resting place is unknown.
Virtual Cemetery of the " Makin Raiders KIA "
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This edit is unverified and unsubstantiated
From FAG Contributor: (50685479)
Suggested edit: James Beecher was on a rubber raft, which overturned when evacuating Makin Island (Butaritari) following the Makin Island Raid, conducted by his unit (2nd Raider Battalion). Beecher and the others in his raft were in the water in the black of night. A soldier from the boat was heard yelling, "Sharks!" Before being pulled under the water. This was believed to have been Beecher. His body was recovered by the Japanese on the island days after the raid. He was buried by the Japanese, and has not been recovered since. One theory suggests he is buried underneath the island's airstrip.
Corporal James W. Beecher MIA/KIA
Hometown: Baxley, Georgia
Father, Mr. Shelton Beecher
Command: Company B, 2nd Raider Battalion
Service # 299268
Awards: Purple Heart
Commander: Lt. Colonel Evans F. Carlson
Target Makin in the Gilbert Islands
Date Lost: 17-Aug-42 MIA/KIA
Official date of death August 19 1943
Location: Butaritari Island, Makin Atoll
Circumstances: KIA, Makin Atoll Raid
Sgt. Beecher 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. Sgt. Beechers 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 Beecher claimed and buried remains privately; the 13 others were interred at Arlington National Ceremony under a full-honors ceremony. The location of Corporal Beechers final resting place is unknown.
Virtual Cemetery of the " Makin Raiders KIA "
---------------------------------------
This edit is unverified and unsubstantiated
From FAG Contributor: (50685479)
Suggested edit: James Beecher was on a rubber raft, which overturned when evacuating Makin Island (Butaritari) following the Makin Island Raid, conducted by his unit (2nd Raider Battalion). Beecher and the others in his raft were in the water in the black of night. A soldier from the boat was heard yelling, "Sharks!" Before being pulled under the water. This was believed to have been Beecher. His body was recovered by the Japanese on the island days after the raid. He was buried by the Japanese, and has not been recovered since. One theory suggests he is buried underneath the island's airstrip.
United States Marine Corps WW2
Corporal James W. Beecher MIA/KIA
Hometown: Baxley, Georgia
Father, Mr. Shelton Beecher
Command: Company B, 2nd Raider Battalion
Service # 299268
Awards: Purple Heart
Commander: Lt. Colonel Evans F. Carlson
Target Makin in the Gilbert Islands
Date Lost: 17-Aug-42 MIA/KIA
Official date of death August 19 1943
Location: Butaritari Island, Makin Atoll
Circumstances: KIA, Makin Atoll Raid
Sgt. Beecher 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. Sgt. Beechers 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 Beecher claimed and buried remains privately; the 13 others were interred at Arlington National Ceremony under a full-honors ceremony. The location of Corporal Beechers final resting place is unknown.
Virtual Cemetery of the " Makin Raiders KIA "
---------------------------------------
This edit is unverified and unsubstantiated
From FAG Contributor: (50685479)
Suggested edit: James Beecher was on a rubber raft, which overturned when evacuating Makin Island (Butaritari) following the Makin Island Raid, conducted by his unit (2nd Raider Battalion). Beecher and the others in his raft were in the water in the black of night. A soldier from the boat was heard yelling, "Sharks!" Before being pulled under the water. This was believed to have been Beecher. His body was recovered by the Japanese on the island days after the raid. He was buried by the Japanese, and has not been recovered since. One theory suggests he is buried underneath the island's airstrip.
Corporal James W. Beecher MIA/KIA
Hometown: Baxley, Georgia
Father, Mr. Shelton Beecher
Command: Company B, 2nd Raider Battalion
Service # 299268
Awards: Purple Heart
Commander: Lt. Colonel Evans F. Carlson
Target Makin in the Gilbert Islands
Date Lost: 17-Aug-42 MIA/KIA
Official date of death August 19 1943
Location: Butaritari Island, Makin Atoll
Circumstances: KIA, Makin Atoll Raid
Sgt. Beecher 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. Sgt. Beechers 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 Beecher claimed and buried remains privately; the 13 others were interred at Arlington National Ceremony under a full-honors ceremony. The location of Corporal Beechers final resting place is unknown.
Virtual Cemetery of the " Makin Raiders KIA "
---------------------------------------
This edit is unverified and unsubstantiated
From FAG Contributor: (50685479)
Suggested edit: James Beecher was on a rubber raft, which overturned when evacuating Makin Island (Butaritari) following the Makin Island Raid, conducted by his unit (2nd Raider Battalion). Beecher and the others in his raft were in the water in the black of night. A soldier from the boat was heard yelling, "Sharks!" Before being pulled under the water. This was believed to have been Beecher. His body was recovered by the Japanese on the island days after the raid. He was buried by the Japanese, and has not been recovered since. One theory suggests he is buried underneath the island's airstrip.
Inscription
CPL, 2 RAIDER BN WORLD WAR II
Gravesite Details
Entered the service from Georgia.
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
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