Glenn E. Powell

Date of Birth:  June 30, 1920

 

Place of Birth:  Manhattan, Kansas

 

Father and Mother’s Names:  Clyde Adolphus Powell and Mary Belle (Miller) Powell. Glen was the 9th of 10 children.

 

Spouse and Children's Names:   Nyla Margaret (Wertzberger)

 

Date Entered Service:  April 1942, in Kansas City Missouri.

 

Service Branch:   Marine Corps

 

Service Number:  371184

 

Rank:  Private First Class

 

Division/Company/Unit info:  Company I, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Regiment, 2nd Division.

 

Awards and Commendations:  Purple Heart

 

Riley Connection:  Born and grew up in Manhattan, Kansas.  Graduated from Manhattan High School.

 

Date of Death (and Age):  November 20, 1943 (age 23).

 

Place of Death:  MIA - D-Day on Betio, Tarawa, Gilbert Islands.


Grave Location:  Although MIA for many years, PFC Powell's body was apparently recovered.  Burried at Honolulu Memorial, Honolulu, HI.  Honored at Sunset Cemetery, Manhattan, KS.

 

Bio:  PFC Glenn Edward Powell was a member of the 2nd Marine Division, 2nd Marine Regiment, 3rd Battalion, Company "I" when they landed on Betio. Their mission was to secure the island in order to control the Japanese airstrip in the Tarawa Atoll; thereby preventing the Japanese Imperial forces from getting closer to the United States, and enabling US forces to get closer to mainland Japan.

 

It was November 20th (D-Day for the "Battle of Tarawa"), when young Glenn - just 23 years old - perished. He remains unaccounted-for.

 

PFC Powell's name can also be found among the "Tablet of the Missing" (56119514).

 

 

 

The information available for this veteran is incomplete.  We would like to include as much information about all our veterans as possible, so if you or someone you know has any additional information we encourage you to contact us at: peacememorialmanhattan@gmail.com.  Thank you for your support.





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