In front of the National Sports Complex off the main road.   Monument

A concrete marker about five feet tall with four inscribed plaques attached to the sides.

In November 1943, U.S. forces invaded the Japanese-held Gilbert Islands (now the Republic of Kiribati) in what was known as Operation GALVANIC. This operation was part of the Allied “island hopping” campaign to take control of Japanese outposts in the Pacific Islands. This would allow the Allied forces to establish air supremacy and a series of bases throughout the Pacific, enabling them to edge closer to Japan until attacks could be launched against the nation’s mainland.

On November 20, approximately 35,000 troops from the U.S. 2nd Marine Division and the Army’s 27th Infantry Division began amphibious assaults on Tarawa’s Betio Island and Makin Atoll. The U.S. invasion, supported by a significant naval presence, represented the largest-yet assembled in the Pacific. While light Japanese defense on Makin meant fewer casualties there, the fortified and concentrated defenses on Betio led to a long and costly 76-hour fight known as the Battle of Tarawa.

The Southern Attack Force (Task Force 53), commanded by Rear Admiral Harry W. Hill, USN, landed the 2nd Marine Division, commanded by General Julian C. Smith, USMC, on Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll on November 20, 1943.   The objective on the thin island was the airfield, located in the southwest corner.   Due to non-existent charts for the tides, the invasion force took a chance with the landing, which worked against them, as did pre-bombardment communication issues.  When the Marines landed on the Red Beaches, they met with fierce opposition, which was the first time this occurred in the Pacific Campaign.

Source: US Navy Heritage Website

  Front, top 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 Pacific spearhead

To world victory in World War II

“Semper Fidelis”

Front, Bottom 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.”

Backside, top plaque:

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

Backside, lower plaque:

Sealed Nov. 29, 1987

Camp Lejeune, NC, USA

To be opened Nov. 20, 2143

From our world to yours.

Freedom above all!

Red Plaque on side:

65th Anniversary of Operation Galvanic

20-23 November 1943

Betio, Tarawa Atol, Gilbert Islands

The heroism and sacrifices of the United States

Second Marine Division and supporting naval forces

who landed on these shores to capture Tarawa

65 years ago will always be remembered.

Second Marine Division Association

November 2008