My dad, Harry P. Dewey, was a Navy corpman on Tarawa with the 18th Marines, 2nd Battalion (Pioneer). I believe he was to have landed at Red Beach 2, but his boat either grounded or turned over on a reef. He swam to the pier and worked his way to the beach as the Japanese were shooting at his head in the water. He said they were pinned down behind the seawall for awhile but then set up an aid station. I don't know anymore than that as he spoke very little about Tarawa, Saipan or Tinian while he was alive. He would let my sisters and I look at his copy of "Follow Me" but didn't have much to say about the pictures. I've looked through the book many times over the years, but have never been able to identify him. I have his old uniform patches and pins, a kbar knife, various certificates and his unit citation, but my treasure is a pair of dog tags scratched on two pieces of green colored metal and strung on a khaki shoelace that he said he made for himself on Tarawa. I have written to the Navy department and gotten a copy of his orders as a member of the 2nd Marine Division, 18th Marines.
John P. Dewey
Harry Dewey's dogtags, patches, and Marine emblem.
John is also looking for anyone who might have known his father.
Please send an email if you have any information.
Thanks alot John for the picture and information!
Email - [email protected]
copyright 2002 Wheaton, Illinois
Created 28 December 2001 - Updated 7 February 2001
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