27 Nov 1943, Buariki, Tarawa Atoll, British Gilbert Islands. The 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines were the last of the 2nd Marine Division reserve and were committed late to Betio during the three day battle of 20-23 Nov 1943. As a result, they were tasked with the mopping up operations of the remaining islets of the Tarawa Atoll. After clearing Biariki (the next islet east of Betio) on D+3 they prepared to initiate the clean-up of the remaining islets on D+4. On 24 Nov 1943 the battalion cleared Buota, the most SE islet of the atoll and for the next three days, they cleared each successive islet moving relentlessly north. On 26 Nov, 1943, they encountered resistance as they conducted the initial reconnaissance of the crossing to the last islet, Buariki. On 27 Nov 1943, LtCol Raymond L Murray directed his battalion in an all-out assault in which they overwhelmed and killed 175 members of the Imperial Japanese Navy's, "Special Naval Landing Force", thus ending all organized resistance on the atoll. PltSgt CLARK was one of 2d Battalion, 6th Marines, 35 KIA and 61 WIA in the battle.

Clark, Wallace Jones, Jr., PltSgt