Marine Accounted For From World War II (Mills, J.)

Release No: 19-192 Sept. 27, 2019 PRINT | E-MAIL
WASHINGTON — Marine Corps Reserve 1st Lt. Justin G. Mills, killed during World War II, was accounted for Aug. 9, 2019.

(Official DoD release will be updated following Primary Next of Kin briefing.)

In November 1943, Mills was a member of Company C, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force, 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 were wounded, while the Japanese were virtually annihilated. Mills was killed on the first day of the battle, Nov. 20, 1943. His remains were reportedly buried in the Central Division Cemetery, and later to the Lone Palm Cemetery on Betio Island.

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Mills’ personnel profile can be viewed at https://dpaa.secure.force.com/dpaaProfile?id=a0Jt0000000Lm4jEAC