Formally know as Makin Island. Part of the Gilbert
Islands and part of Makin Atoll.
History
Japanese forces occupied the island
on December 9, 1941.
Makin Raid
United States Marines killed during the Marine
Raid launched from submarine during the night of August 17-18 1942
that destroyed several flying boats and ships. This operation was
the first Marine raid launched from submarines in history. Their mission
was to destroy installations, disrupt the enemy and divert reinforcements
to Guadalcanal. After killing
83 Japanese and destroying installations, ships and flying boats (Sgt Buck Stidham and Sgt Walter Carroll destroyed two seaplanes with their Boys Anti-Tank rifle). The Marines were forced to evacuate in the face of Japanese air attacks
and forces, While evacuating, they were forced to leave behind their
dead, which were later buried by the islanders and Japanese in a mass
grave.
American Liberation
On November 20, 1943 American Marines make amphibious landings on Makin and Tarawa. By the 23rd, the island is secure. Immediatly, work begings on an airfield on Makin, and developing it into a base.
Makin
Raiders Mass Grave Site
In 1999 the US Army Central
Identification Laboratory located the mass grave of USMC killed during the 'Makin Raid' and buried on the island. They exhumed the remains of 19 Marines, and ten months later
all positively identified and reentered in the United States. Makin Recovery Details
Lagoon
& Reef
When the Japanese occupied the island,
they operated Mavis and Emily seaplanes in the lagoon. During the
war, four were sunk here. There are also several American planes,
including two F4U's and a B-25 wreck sunk also.
Makin Airfield
Built by Americans after recapturing the island, still in use today
