Battle of Tarawa Memorial
U.S. Marines War Memorial
Marker front, upper plaque:
“Follow Me”
2nd Marine Division
United States Marine Corps
Battle of Tarawa
November 20, 1943
To our fellow Marines who gave their all!
The world is free because of you!
God rest your souls
1,113 killed 2,290 wounded
The Central Pacfic spearhead
To world victory in World War II
“Semper Fidelis”
Marker front, lower plaque:
To the People of Kiribati
“During World War II, many lives were lost in the Battle of Tarawa which restored liberty to these islands under British administration at the time.
Through the evolution of political development the Gilbert Islands gained its independence on 12 July 1979 from Britain and became the Democratic Republic of Kiribati.
The political processes that took place on these islands, since the Battle of Tarawa, would have been difficult to achieve without the gallantry and the blood of these most remarkable men of the United States Marines.
Enjoy your independence and guard it well.”
Marker reverse, upper plaque (not shown):
United States Navy
Battle of Tarawa
November 20, 1943
In grateful memory
to those men who paid for liberty with their lives
Sailors, Airmen, Chaplains, Doctors
and especially to
the Navy Corpsmen
30 killed 59 wounded
To the crews of supporting United States ships
carriers, battleships, cruisers and destroyers,
submarines, transports and landing craft,
Well Done
We, your fellow Marines, salute you one and all!
God rest your souls
Marker reverse, lower plaque (not shown):
Sealed Nov. 29, 1987
Camp Lejeune, NC, USA
To be opened Nov. 20, 2143
From our world to yours.
Freedom above all!
Marker can be reached from Rue de Betio.
Courtesy hmdb.org
