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Contact Info
Home Town Mechanicsville, NJ
Last Address Westfield, Union County, New Jersey since 1941.
Date of Passing Feb 20, 1979
Location of Interment Arlington National Cemetery (VLM) - Arlington, Virginia
Central Pacific Campaign (1941-43)/Battle of Tarawa
From Month/Year
November / 1943
To Month/Year
November / 1943
Description The Battle of Tarawa (US code name Operation Galvanic) was a battle in the Pacific Theater of World War II, fought from November 20 to November 23, 1943. It took place at the Tarawa Atoll in the Gilbert Islands, located in what is now the nation of Kiribati. Nearly 6,400 Japanese, Koreans, and Americans died in the fighting, mostly on and around the small island of Betio.
The Battle of Tarawa was the first American offensive in the critical central Pacific region. It was also the first time in the war that the United States faced serious Japanese opposition to an amphibious landing. Previous landings met little or no initial resistance. but this time the 4,500 Japanese defenders were well-supplied and well-prepared, and they fought almost to the last man, exacting a heavy toll on the United States Marine Corps. The U.S. had suffered similar casualties in other campaigns, for example over the six months of the Guadalcanal Campaign, but in this case the losses were incurred within the space of 76 hours.
My Participation in This Battle or Operation
From Month/Year
November / 1943
To Month/Year
November / 1943
Last Updated: Mar 16, 2020
Personal Memories
Memories Commander John J. Mockrish, USNR, assumed command of USS SHERIDAN on 31 July 1943, as her first commanding officer.
After a short shakedown period in the San Dle fo and San Fancisco area, SHERIDAN sailed from the latter on 1 October 1943 with cargo and troops for points in the Pacific.
SHERIDAN arrived in Noumea, New Caledonia on 18 October 1943, debarked her troops, and commenced unloading her cargo. She sailed to Lamberton Harbor, Wellington, New Zealand on. the 21st, and on 1 November, sailed for Havannah Harbor, Efate Island Newbrides in company with the battleship USS MARYLAND, and attack transport USS MONROVIA.
Operating as a unit of Task Force 53, USS SHERIDAN Participated in the Capture of Tarawa Atoll in the Gilbert Islands, The First Battalion; Eighth Regiment, of the U. S Marine Second Division which consisted of 1553 officers and men with attached formed the Sanding team aboard SHERIDAN. SHERIDAN arrived at Tarawa Atoll on 20 November 1943, with various other vessels of the U. S. Pacific Fleet.
Two salvos of 5 inch shells landed within 100 yards of SHERIDAN, almost hitting some landing craft moving to various ships, however, no hits were observed.
Naval gunfire and serial bombardment continued intermittently throughout 22 November, on assigned targets on Bititu Island.
When SHERIDAN sailed from Tarawa Atoll on 24 November eight boats and crews, plus one officer were unable to return to the officers and 43 men of the beach party were also unable to return.
SHERIDAN sailed on the 24th in company with and Task Group 53-1, which was composed of DOYEN, HEYWOOD, and LA SALLE enroute for Pearl Harbor.