Return to Tarawa Redux

The battle of "Bloody Tarawa" was fought sixty-five years ago, yet the remains if hunrdeds of Americans still lie in Betio, the tiny South Pacific island where the battle was fought--forgotten and ignored by our nation. Their relatives know only that these dead,who gave their lives in defense of America's freedom, are classified as "MIA."

THe Military Channel's documentary "Return to Tarawa-the Leon Cooper Story" has served to expose this shameful chapter of America's history, causing the question to be raised: How many more Tarawas are there?

The answer: there are 45,120 WWII dead Americans in the Pacific Theatre, still there, a tally as of September 6, 2006, according to the Department of Defense. The Pacific War MIAs account for more than 55% of all of the 73,291 MIAs of WWII.

These shocking numbers stem from the Defense Department's policy: "Most recent wars first." In other words, the Department gives first priority to the recovery and repatriation of the dead from the current Iraq and Afghanistan wars. All of our nation's wars prior to Viet Nam are classified as "Ancient Wars," thereby putting WWII veterans in the same group, for example, as the Greek warriors of he BC era who fought in the Pelopponesian war.

It is particularly contemptuous to treat WWII MIAs as if they were fossilized remains. The Defense Department's recovery rate of 0.2% per year of WWII MIA "returns" simply emphasizes the Department's contempt. One study has estimated that, at the Department's recovery rate, it will take more than 300 years to recover all of the Pacific War's MIAs that are "recoverable." Will the thousands of Americans who still lie where they fell in Papua New Guinea, in the Solomons, in the Marianas, in the Philippines and in the many minor land skirmishes ever be returned  to their homes?

William Gladstone, England's 19th Century Prime Minister said, "One can judge the conscience of a nation by the recognition it gives to those who died for it."

What is the state of our nation's conscience?

Comments

[Bob Loveday]

My step dad was with the 2 Marine Division 8th Regiment in a tank first to Tarawa then Guadalcanal and then Saipan. Tarawa was 2 Marines baby. He was a resident of Camp Tarawa in Hawaii. He is 90 years old and still alive. I wish someone would come to Oregon and get his story

[Kip Vander Hyde]

Leon-

I wrote my congressman several years ago reference the situation on Red Beach. I received a sort of form letter back and, of course, no action. Has any progress been made regarding the clean-up and repatriation of MIA remains. My e-mail is kipvanderhyde@comcast.net.

Is there anything more I can do? Any fund raising efforts. God Bless you and your noble efforts.

Kip Vander Hyde
"My Father's Keeper"

[George E. Miller]

Leon, you are indeed one of our "Greatest Generation" ! I am proud to have seen your recent special via the Military Channel on Comcast Cable out of Lombard, Illinois.
I have emailed you today and will await your response. God
Bless American and YOU !
George Miller
Lombard, Illinois