Gunny, I checked that book myself and did not see him listed. Also checked 2/8 roster and he's not there. The obit mentioned Okinawa so I assumed he was with the 8th as they were called in near the end of that campaign. So, he may have been in one of the many units attached to that group. (FYI, my uncle was with 2/10 arty on Okie.) For some reason I think I've seen his name in print but not sure where as I have MANY Tarawa books.
He was probably not an officer in 1943 as he would have been 19 years old.