Corp. Raymond Arthur Barker, USMC-- Part 2

There is a second Find-A-Grave account of him, this one put out by the organization that identified his remains, Defense  POW/MIA Accounting Agency.  A tip of the hat to them for this effort.

October 17, 2017

Marine Corps Reserve Cpl. Raymond A. Barker, killed during World War II, has now been accounted for.

In November 1943, Barker was assigned to Company C, 2nd Tank Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, which landed against stiff Japanese resistance on the small island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll of the Gilbert Islands, in an attempt to secure the island.

Over several days of intense fighting at Tarawa, approximately 1,000 Marines and Sailors were killed and more than 2,000 wounded, but the Japanese were virtually annihilated.  Barker died on the first day of the battle.

Interment services are pending; more details will be released 7-10 days prior to scheduled funeral services.

DPAA Is grateful to History Flight, for their partnership in the mission.

Barker's name is recorded on the Tablets of the Missing at the NCMP, an American Battle Monuments Commission cemetery, along with others killed or lost in WW II.  A rosette will be placed next to his name  to indicate he has been accounted for.

This one, however, has him incorrectly buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

--GreGen