World War II Honoree

Robert Edward Bemis

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Mentor, Ohio

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Private. On February 22, 1943, he was inducted into the United States Marine Corps from Ohio. His boot camp training took place with the Fourth Recruit Battalion, Training Regiment; Marine Corps Base in San Diego, California. Later he completed his Marine Combat Training at Camp Pendleton in Oceanside, California. Served as a Rifleman with the Second Marine Division in the Central Pacific Theater of Operations, assigned to Bravo Company, First Battalion and Eighth Marine Regiment. His division participated in the amphibious assault against the Imperial Japanese forces in the Battle of Tarawa. The combat engagement took place on the Island of Betio, located on the Tarawa Atoll, Gilbert Islands Code Name: Operation Galvanic. Killed in action Saturday, November 20, 1943 on the first day of the invasion, and buried in the Lone Palm battlefield cemetery on Betio. After the cessation of hostilities with Japan, the family of this Marine received his remains for burial. He was laid to rest at the Mentor Municipal Cemetery in Mentor, Ohio. This American Patriot was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously, for his ultimate sacrifice in defense of his country.