Uploaded November 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Eighty-two years ago today, on November 20th, 1943, United States Marines landed on the tiny island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll as part of Operation Galvanic.
It was the first time in the Pacific Theater that the Marines assaulted a beach so heavily fortified and fiercely defended.
Over the course of just 76 brutal hours, more than 1,000 Marines were killed and over 2,100 were wounded in what became one of the bloodiest battles of World War II. The beaches of Betio—where U.S. Marines fought courageously against deeply entrenched Japanese forces—were marked forever by extraordinary sacrifice.
On this anniversary of the landings, we honor and remember the bravery, service, and sacrifice of those who fought at Tarawa.
Eighty-two years ago today, on November 20th, 1943, United States Marines landed on the tiny island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll as part of Operation Galvanic.
It was the first time in the Pacific Theater that the Marines assaulted a beach so heavily fortified and fiercely defended.
Over the course of just 76 brutal hours, more than 1,000 Marines were killed and over 2,100 were wounded in what became one of the bloodiest battles of World War II. The beaches of Betio—where U.S. Marines fought courageously against deeply entrenched Japanese forces—were marked forever by extraordinary sacrifice.
On this anniversary of the landings, we honor and remember the bravery, service, and sacrifice of those who fought at Tarawa.
