Raymond Barker USMC-- Part 3: From MIA to KIA

On D-Day at Tarawa, November 20, 1943, Corporal Barker was reported MIA and a few weeks after the island was secured, , his status was changed to presumed Killed In Action.  His body has never been  recovered.  He is one of eight men of Charlie Company who were listed as MIA at the Battle of Betio.

In his last letter home, dated November 1, he told of his frequent moves across the islands of the Pacific  and predicted an upcoming assault soon but had no premonition of death.

His parents didn't find out for two months after the battle.

On 9 March 1944, the bad news came in the form of a telegram:

"Cpl. Barker was listed as missing after the attack November 20 on Tarawa atoll in the Gilbert Islands.  However, Tarawa has now been fully occupied by American forces for 3 months, and it must necessarily be concluded that he lost his life in action."

--GreGen