Dexter Greer, a member of Weapons Co. 2/2, made it across Betio with 14 other Marines for the first night. Fortunately the Japanese had no idea that they were there and could have easily wiped them out. Dex says about that night, "I wish there was some way to show or read the FEAR factor." He adds, "The most important word in giving a description of Tarawa is CONFUSION." The officer with them, Lt. Shelton 1, was reported in Arnold Gladson's account to missing from from his assigned landing beach, Red 2. Of course he was on the opposite side of the island with Dex Greer and a portion of Weapons Company. The map below shows the position that Dex and 14 other Marines that night. They were in trenches on Black Beach 2 located from north to south rather than east to west as the map implys.
Thanks for sending the map Dex! Semper Fi!!
Notes
1. The name might be spelled "Skelton".
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copyright 2001 Wheaton, Illinois
Created 21 July 2001
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