World War II Honoree

Buell Frederick Powell

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Long Lane, Missouri

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Second Lieutenant. He was inducted into the United States Marine Corps from Missouri. Served as an Infantry Officer with the Second Marine Division in the Central Pacific Theater of Operations, assigned to Golf Company, Second 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. Reported missing in action, lost at sea Saturday, November 20, on the first day of the invasion. His name is permanently inscribed in the tablets of the missing, memorialized at the Honolulu National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, ‘Punchbowl’ Hawaii. This American Patriot was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously, for his ultimate sacrifice in defense of his country.