Tarawa on the Web

In World War II during the early morning hours of 20 November 1943, you Marines activated Operation Galvanic on the small island of Betio at Tarawa Atoll. Today, 67 years later, we, the people you Marines served and protected so valiantly, still remember and treasure what you accomplished during that intense and perilous battle. Also very dear to us is the memory of our Marines who did not come home from Tarawa and those whose lives were immeasurably and distressingly altered because of wounds.

At great personal risk and sacrifice at Tarawa and in subsequent hard-fought battles across the Pacific, you proved that we Americans will bear any burden to support any friend and oppose any foe to assure the survival and success of liberty. No greater love of our country could be shown by you Marines who were willing to put yourselves on the line in the surf and sand of that square mile of hell known as Tarawa. Because of that, you earned and will keep the highest respect and thanks from a grateful nation.

At some point, you must have wondered whether, in the final analysis, what you were doing would make a successful difference in the world-wide struggle to defend freedom, liberty and justice for our nation and our allies. You succeeded, alright! Amazingly, many of you were so young when you committed to defending our nation in those early years of WWII. With many of you only 17 to 20 years of age, you grew up fast, terribly fast! And now, we trust you can reflect with a healthy mixture of pride and poignancy on your actions and your successes.

You said, "Follow Me" and we have followed, sustained and built on your example. As the United States Marine Corps promises to build Marines; win our nation's battles; and develop quality citizens, you men are superb examples of what the United States Marine Corps does so well! For your efforts at the Battle of Tarawa and subsequent battles across the Pacific, our country is "The Land of the Free" because of your bravery, courage and will to win.

About two months ago on Tarawa Talk (http://tarawaontheweb.org), one U.S. Marine, himself a veteran of Tarawa, expressed the wish that a roster of his fellow veterans be assembled. He knew, as do veterans everywhere, that war is a terror-filled crucible generating enduring memories and friendships. Doubtless, he wanted to know who of his comrades remain as participants in the trauma we still know as the Battle of Tarawa.

This roster is the answer to that one Marine's request. This roster is an opportunity for the voices of veterans who fought at Tarawa to be heard, and it affords so many of us the chance to recognize you and thank you again for your outstanding service to our country. That is why this is called an 'open' roster.

Because many Tarawa veterans are just now becoming aware of this roster, it will remain 'open' and accessible to ALL living U.S. Marine veterans of the Battle Tarawa. This roster is inspired by your heroic actions, is dependent on your input and will remain as a testament to your character and commitment to our country.

Currently, this roster lists at least 70 living veterans of the Battle of Tarawa, but it is known that over 700 of you, perhaps as many as 1300, could have their names and personal stories included if all could be contacted. Subsequent installments of this roster will contain input from additional Tarawa veterans as the word of this roster is spread.

Readers are invited to scan the roster's list of names and access personal narrative stories to glimpse at what these veterans themselves say about their memories of that experience at Tarawa in late November, 1943.

When you or your families or your fellow Marines hear of this roster, please contact John Oberg to have your name, unit and personal thoughts added to this growing tribute.

Marines, this roster is for you and for the ages. You passed the torch of freedom to younger generations of Americans. Tempered by your example in war, we who followed grasped that torch and carried it proudly and successfully during the nearly 50 years of the Cold War. And that torch has been passed on to your children's children who also recognize and give meaningful expression to our shared and ancient heritage. We are proud of you. We are committed to following in your footsteps and to being faithful transmitters of your story to future generations.

From this Cold War veteran who is also related to a World War II Marine casualty in your Second Marine Division, I say to you venerable U.S. Marines that we truly are a band of brothers because we have shared similar experiences, though in different generations, while defending our country. We are brothers forever! In other words,

SAEPE EXPERTUS, SEMPER FIDELIS, FRATRES AETERNI -

SEMPER FIDELIS, TARAWA MARINES !

HOW TO ACCESS THE ROSTER

3. Activate the Return to ROSTER hyperlink - (bottom of each narrative story) to return to roster

ESTIMATES exist suggesting names of between 600 and 1,300 Tarawa veterans could be on this roster as the roster grows

HYPERLINKS give access to narrative stories of Tarawa veterans. The absence of a hyperlink means either that information has not yet been received from a Tarawa veteran OR the Tarawa veteran elects not to send information.

UNIT NAMES are entered as presented by Tarawa veterans themselves. The term "x-x-x" indicates the veteran's unit name has not yet been received OR the person submitting information for a veteran does not know the veteran's unit designation.