Ivan C. Beatty

born New Rockford, NDak 14 Sep 24; resident Eddy County, NDak; entered USMC Seattle, Wash 25 Feb 44; served Asiatic 
Pacific Theater

In September 1944, American forces launched Operation STALEMATE II, the invasion on Peleliu, an island in Palau. On September 15, the 1st Marine Division invaded Peleliu Island. The following day, Marines secured the airfield despite taking heavy casualties. The battle for the island lasted another two months, however, as Marines were forced to clear heavily fortified pockets of Japanese resistance across the island. The 1st Marine Division, reinforced by the 81st Infantry Division, slowly advanced north and under nearly constant mortar and artillery fire. The invasion of Peleliu had the highest casualty rate of all the amphibious Pacific Island invasions of World War II .

Private Ivan Clarence Beatty, who joined the U.S. Marine Corps from Washington, was a member of 3rd Armored Amphibian Battalion, Amphibian Team Group, Fleet Marine Force. He went missing in action on Peleliu Island on September 15, 1944, when he was one of four tank crew members inside a T-13 tank destroyer that exploded. The tank was witnessed to disappear in a tremendous mine explosion, and there was no sign of any individuals including Private Beatty remaining in the aftermath. Private Beatty has not been associated with any remains recovered from Peleliu Island following the war, and he is still unaccounted-for. Today, Private Beatty is memorialized on the Walls of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines.