Marine Pfc. James O. Whitehurst was attached to 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division. Whitehurst joined the Marine Corps on 20 May, 1941 and was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of Tarawa, 20 November, 1943. Over several days of intense fighting, approximately 1,000 Marines and sailors were killed in action. A small number of these casualties were buried in Cemetery 27, a military cemetery on Tarawa Atoll. From June 2015 to February 2016, History Flight, a non-profit organization located the remains of 39 individuals who gave their life in the Battle of Tarawa, and were buried there, including Whitehurst. (Courtesy Photo) - Marine Pfc. James O. Whitehurst was attached to 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division. Whitehurst joined the Marine Corps on 20 May, 1941 and was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of Tarawa, 20 November, 1943. Over several days of intense fighting, approximately 1,000 Marines and sailors were killed in action. A small number of these casualties were buried in Cemetery 27, a military cemetery on Tarawa Atoll. From June 2015 to February 2016, History Flight, a non-profit organization located the remains of 39 individuals who gave their life in the Battle of Tarawa, and were buried there, including Whitehurst. (Courtesy Photo)