Tarawa Betio Gilbert Islands USMC WWII 2nd Marine Division

Link to Tarawa on the Web





+- +-

+-User

Welcome, Guest.
Please login or register.
 
 
 

Login with your social network

Forgot your password?

+-Stats ezBlock

Members
Total Members: 64
Latest: dko182
New This Month: 0
New This Week: 0
New Today: 0
Stats
Total Posts: 469
Total Topics: 134
Most Online Today: 2
Most Online Ever: 493
(November 29, 2023, 10:51:06 pm)
Users Online
Members: 1
Guests: 4
Total: 5

Author Topic: Tarawa vet passed.  (Read 799 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Rick

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 7
  • Thanks for registering! If you have any problems please ask.
    • View Profile
Tarawa vet passed.
« on: June 20, 2021, 11:56:14 am »
in the obits of todays newspaper I saw listed, LtCol. Richard M. Doezema, 97, from Grand Rapids, Mi. He was remembered as a veteran of Tarawa, Saipan, Tinian and Okinawa in WWII. Also, combat in Korea. Navy Cross, Silver Star and two Purple hearts.
Just wondering if anyone has any info on this Marine.

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter

Like Like x 1 View List

gunnygp

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 92
    • View Profile
Re: Tarawa vet passed.
« Reply #1 on: June 20, 2021, 12:57:27 pm »
Just went thru the officer list in the book Bloody Tarawa by Eric Hammel and John Lane and he is not listed. 

Rick

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 7
  • Thanks for registering! If you have any problems please ask.
    • View Profile
Re: Tarawa vet passed.
« Reply #2 on: June 20, 2021, 01:13:34 pm »
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.

gunnygp

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 92
    • View Profile
Re: Tarawa vet passed.
« Reply #3 on: June 21, 2021, 09:38:15 am »
Right Rick. At 19 he would not have been commissioned. So, at Tarawa, he could have been anywhere really. Even still aboard ship.

Roy

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 11
  • Thanks for registering! If you have any problems please ask.
    • View Profile
Re: Tarawa vet passed.
« Reply #4 on: June 21, 2021, 07:09:41 pm »
Doezema Richard M First Lieutenant Korean war 1950-1953 Navy cross .

TRGodwin

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 151
  • Thanks for registering! If you have any problems please ask.
    • View Profile
Re: Tarawa vet passed.
« Reply #5 on: June 22, 2021, 01:58:47 pm »
Here is PFC Richard M. Doezema in the 10th in October 1943. Onboard the La Salle in November 43 muster headed to Tarawa.

Rick

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 7
  • Thanks for registering! If you have any problems please ask.
    • View Profile
Re: Tarawa vet passed.
« Reply #6 on: June 27, 2021, 01:30:43 pm »
Thanks for the info. I have found a book called, " Pa's Story, a Marine reflects on war and his life." Written by Col. Doezema it tells his story. found on Amazon.
Thanks again for the investigative efforts from all of you.

Dreamacre

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 2
  • Thanks for registering! If you have any problems please ask.
    • View Profile
Re: Tarawa vet passed.
« Reply #7 on: April 08, 2022, 08:24:49 am »
This man was one of 10 to get out of their LST on to Red Beach 1 at Tarawa. My Dad was another. They kept in touch every year and even after my Dad passed away in 2010.

https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/24365015/edward-gazel/allen-park/michigan/voran-funeral-home

R.I.P, Guz

Kim Harrison

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 46
  • Thanks for registering! If you have any problems please ask.
  • Location: New Zealand / Betio
    • View Profile
Re: Tarawa vet passed.
« Reply #8 on: April 08, 2022, 03:32:28 pm »
Sad news. How do ever say thank you to a man and his friends for giving you and family your lives. We live today in Kiribati free thanks to men like this.
God Bless
Sempa Fi Mac

TRGodwin

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 151
  • Thanks for registering! If you have any problems please ask.
    • View Profile
Re: Tarawa vet passed.
« Reply #9 on: April 09, 2022, 01:34:22 pm »
Ed Gazel is mentioned quite a bit in Tanks in Hell. A great story and a great, long life. Rest In Peace, sir.... Had to laugh at his 4 rules for a long life :

1. Always wear comfortable shoes.
2. Eat your fruits and vegetables.
3. Drink two shots of brandy with dinner each night.
4. Never play leapfrog with a unicorn. 

 

Related Topics

  Subject / Started by Replies Last post
9 Replies
509 Views
Last post November 13, 2019, 12:25:52 pm
by jstevens
1 Replies
87 Views
Last post November 25, 2022, 04:17:37 pm
by MikeVE
2 Replies
1601 Views
Last post May 30, 2023, 03:16:17 pm
by preed
4 Replies
1561 Views
Last post May 25, 2023, 11:24:35 pm
by 1stSgtLewisLutes
3 Replies
1546 Views
Last post October 02, 2023, 09:27:55 pm
by MikeVE

+-Recent Topics

New Zealand or Camp Tarawa? by Kim Harrison
Today at 01:44:34 am

Tarawa Controversy by TRGodwin
March 01, 2024, 08:41:08 pm

8" Gun picture by gunnygp
January 16, 2024, 02:21:05 pm

Tarawa Unknown Identification by ChiefRickStone
January 13, 2024, 01:46:32 pm

Amphibious Assault Reenactment - 22 June 2024 by Kim Harrison
January 12, 2024, 09:10:58 pm

TARAWA UPDATE: NOVEMBER 20, 2022 thru NOVEMBER 20, 2023 by ChiefRickStone
November 26, 2023, 08:08:46 pm

Tanks On Tarawa by aaguerre
October 12, 2023, 12:18:23 am

Pronunciation of 'Tarawa' by MikeVE
October 02, 2023, 09:27:55 pm

LVT and POWs by gunnygp
September 11, 2023, 05:24:53 pm

Post Battle Airfield and Around Betio by Kim Harrison
August 24, 2023, 12:33:46 am

Link to Tarawa on the Web