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).
