| Original Caption: Storming Tarawa Airport — Marines dash across the beach on Tarawa Island to take the airport there. 1 of the Marines carries a shovel in his hand, to dig a slit trench or throw up a hasty barricade if necessary. Lieutenant Colonel Herbert R. Amey Junior’s (February 22, 1913 – November 20, 1943) 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines would crash ashore to the right of the pier at Red 2 Beach, seize the airfield a short distance inland, then turn east and head down Betio’s middle. Amey was killed as his unit landed, demoralizing his battalion. 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines, under fire for hours at the seawall, re-embarked in 8 LVT Amtracs and joined 2nd Battalion at Red 2. As soon as they arrived, the 2nd Marines planned to drive off the beach. Word was passed: push inland, as far as possible. But the Marines on Red 2 were thoroughly shaken. The Regiment can give orders, but squad leaders carry them out. United States Marine 1st Sergeant Wilbur M. Burgess (March 3, 1916 – November 8, 1951) crawled over the seawall and, eventually, with the traditional Marine rally from Belleau Wood 30 years earlier, “Do you want to live forever?” gathered a group of Marines to drive on the airfield. Alone, and then in pairs, then trios, Marines climbed over the seawall and followed Burgess to the airfield. Men who hadn’t heard Burgess saw the others move and followed, thinking the drive had begun. Burgess’s Navy Cross citation read: The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to 1st Sergeant Wilbur M. Burgess, United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving as 1st Sergeant of A Company, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines, 2nd Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces at Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll, Gilbert Islands, on November 20, 1943. Landing with his company on the beach, 1st Sergeant Burgess located 2 enemy pillboxes which were firing on our troops attempting to land and, promptly enlisting the aid of a rifle grenadier, directed accurate grenade fire at the 1st emplacement until it was temporarily put out of action, then crawled to the position and completely destroyed it with trinitrotoluene (TNT). Maintaining his high courage and aggressive determination, he approached to within 5 yards of the 2nd pillbox. He threw TNT and grenades into the opening, forcing out 2 of the enemy who were casualties. He courageously assumed command and, although he had only a few men left following a valiant crossing of the exposed landing strip under intense, persistent Japanese fire, tenaciously continued the attack and rendered invaluable assistance in defeating a hostile counterattack. 1st Sergeant Burgess’ splendid initiative, gallant leadership, and indomitable fighting spirit in the face of grave peril were an inspiration to his comrades and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. This photo is a still from a motion picture film of the attack on the airfield. A photographic unit commanded by United States Marine Captain Louis Hayward (March 19, 1909 – February 21, 1985) landed with the 2nd Marine Division and shot still photographs and motion picture film of the landings. This film was incorporated into the 1944 Best Short Documentary Oscar winner, With the Marines at Tarawa. | |
| Image Filename | wwii1593.jpg |
| Image Size | 1.21 MB |
| Image Dimensions | 4742 x 3522 |
| Photographer | |
| Photographer Title | United States Navy |
| Caption Author | Written or Adapted by Jason McDonald |
| Date Photographed | November 20, 1943 |
| Location | |
| City | Betio |
| State or Province | Tarawa |
| Country | Gilberts |
| Archive | National Archives and Records Administration |
| Record Number | HS1-105484253 |
| Status | Caption ©2026 MFA Productions LLC Please Do Not Duplicate or Distribute Without Permission; Image in the Public Domain |
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