MIA Update, May 10, 2019

[boardman]

MIA Update: The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency has announced the identifications of two American servicemen who had been missing and unaccounted-for from WWII. Returning home for burial with full military honors are:

-- Marine Corps Platoon Sgt. George E. Trotter was a member of Company E, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines, 2nd Marine Division. In November 1943, his unit landed against stiff Japanese resistance on the small island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll of the Gilbert Islands. 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. Trotter died on the first day of the battle, Nov. 20, 1943. Interment services are pending. Read more about Trotter here https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/1841382/marine-accounted-for-from-world-war-ii-trotter-g/.
-- Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Wesley L. Kroenung was a photographer with Headquarters Company, Headquarters and Service Battalion, Fifth Amphibious Corps, temporarily assigned to the 2nd Marine Division. In November 1943, the unit he was assigned to landed against stiff Japanese resistance on the small island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll of the Gilbert Islands. 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. Trotter died on the first day of the battle, Nov. 20, 1943. He was reportedly buried in the 2nd Marine Division Cemetery #4. Interment services are pending. Read more about Kroenung here https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/1841388/marine-accounted-for-from-world-war-ii-kroenung-w/.