World War II Honoree

Thomas D. Becker

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Natchez, Mississippi

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

RANK: 2ND LIEUTENANT. HE WAS INDUCTED INTO THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS NOVEMBER 14, 1942, WHO COMPLETED BASIC COMBAT TRAINING AT THE 5TH MARINES DEPOT, QUANTICO MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, VIRGINIA. AFTER COMPLETING BOOT CAMP, HE WAS DESIGNATED AS AN OFFICER CANDIDATE AND COMMISSIONED A SECOND LIEUTENANT IN JANUARY 1943 UPON HIS GRADUATION FROM OFFICER CANDIDATE SCHOOL ‘OCS’ AT THE MARINE CORPS BASE, QUANTICO, VIRGINIA. SERVED IN THE PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS ASSIGNED TO K-COMPANY, 3RD BATTALION, 2ND MARINES, 2ND MARINE ‘THE SILENT SECOND’ DIVISION. PARTICIPATED IN THE BATTLE OF TARAWA ATOLL ON THE ISLAND OF BETIO (NOVEMBER 20-23, 1943) CODE NAME: OPERATION GALVANIC. ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1943 HE WAS KILLED IN ACTION AND BURIED IN THE TEMPORARY LONE PALM BATTLEFIELD CEMETERY ON BETIO ISLAND. AFTER THE CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES WITH JAPAN, HIS REMAINS WERE RETURNED TO HIS FAMILY, WITH INTERMENT IN THE SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI CATHOLIC CEMETERY, BROOKHAVEN, MISSISSIPPI.