Kurt Barickman Posted November 6, 2013 Author Share #101 Posted November 6, 2013 More yet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kurt Barickman Posted November 6, 2013 Author Share #102 Posted November 6, 2013 yet again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kurt Barickman Posted November 7, 2013 Author Share #103 Posted November 7, 2013 Yup that's right, more photos Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kurt Barickman Posted November 7, 2013 Author Share #104 Posted November 7, 2013 Another shot of the engraving Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kurt Barickman Posted November 7, 2013 Author Share #105 Posted November 7, 2013 Yes, more, waiting to post all the photos before I tell the story. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kurt Barickman Posted November 7, 2013 Author Share #106 Posted November 7, 2013 More Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kurt Barickman Posted November 7, 2013 Author Share #107 Posted November 7, 2013 More Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kurt Barickman Posted November 7, 2013 Author Share #108 Posted November 7, 2013 Finally Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobgee Posted November 7, 2013 Share #109 Posted November 7, 2013 Another great addition to the Tarawa collection, Kurt. Semper Fi.......Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kurt Barickman Posted November 7, 2013 Author Share #110 Posted November 7, 2013 B.A. Cope was an original member of A-1-8th Marines, 2nd Marine Division who was on Samoa and then eventually Guadalcanal. Survived the Canal only to be sent to another miserable spot, the island of Betio, Tarawa Atoll, Gilbert Island Group. Here as was the rest of 1-8, Cope was boated all night from D-Day, Nov. 20th, 1943 and was sent in with the rest of his battalion on the morning of D+1 November 21. 1-8 had a very difficult landing that morning as several hundred were casualties (sources vary on that amount) Nonetheless, of all the groupings I have from 1-8 Tarawa, only ONE guy was not either killed or wounded that morning. Cope was wounded with a gunshot wound to the head which eventually took his life. He was buried at sea from the USS J. Franklin Bell. His mother wrote letters trying to find the details of his death and eventually did. She put together his medals on the board pictured to include his KIA Purple Heart, PUCs and the obligatory medals. She also assembled a scrapbook which included articles about WWII, Tarawa and Mormonism. Cope's family erected a memorial tombstone in his hometown of Jacksonville FL. The board that she made for her son's medals is classic Americana in my estimation. She removed the broach from the ribbons and then attached them by small nails to this board with the patriotic background. This is a microcosm of the cost of war and the devastation it causes to families; he was 19 years of age. Kurt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raidercollector Posted November 7, 2013 Share #111 Posted November 7, 2013 Another great find for your collection, Those are real rare to find with all the original documents,Hardly ever see them like that. Thanks for sharing. Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
38Driver Posted November 7, 2013 Share #112 Posted November 7, 2013 B.A. Cope was an original member of A-1-8th Marines, 2nd Marine Division who was on Samoa and then eventually Guadalcanal. Survived the Canal only to be sent to another miserable spot, the island of Betio, Tarawa Atoll, Gilbert Island Group. Here as was the rest of 1-8, Cope was boated all night from D-Day, Nov. 20th, 1943 and was sent in with the rest of his battalion on the morning of D+1 November 21. 1-8 had a very difficult landing that morning as several hundred were casualties (sources vary on that amount) Nonetheless, of all the groupings I have from 1-8 Tarawa, only ONE guy was not either killed or wounded that morning. Cope was wounded with a gunshot wound to the head which eventually took his life. He was buried at sea from the USS J. Franklin Bell. His mother wrote letters trying to find the details of his death and eventually did. She put together his medals on the board pictured to include his KIA Purple Heart, PUCs and the obligatory medals. She also assembled a scrapbook which included articles about WWII, Tarawa and Mormonism. Cope's family erected a memorial tombstone in his hometown of Jacksonville FL. The board that she made for her son's medals is classic Americana in my estimation. She removed the broach from the ribbons and then attached them by small nails to this board with the patriotic background. This is a microcosm of the cost of war and the devastation it causes to families; he was 19 years of age. Kurt Heart breaking. Thank you for sharing this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katieony Posted November 7, 2013 Share #113 Posted November 7, 2013 Kurt, Incredible group! Thank you for posting it. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted November 7, 2013 Share #114 Posted November 7, 2013 Kurt a very somber group that shows the cost of war and the loss of a young Marine.Im sure his mother never got past the loss of her son.Glad you have it amonst the "Hall of Heroes" in your collection.THanks for posting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigJohn#3RD Posted November 7, 2013 Share #115 Posted November 7, 2013 Kurt, Your sustainment of the memories of the Marines and Navy personnel who fought a fanatical enemy on this small but strategic piece of coral is without pear . Your endevor is a true tribute to their courage and fortitude in a mission that was counted in hours and days rather than months. Their was not a mission that allowed for faints and parries but one requiring them to change into the muzzle flashes of well placed and mutually supporting fighting positions of a determined foe. You bring forth their stories and actions using their uniforms, awards and citations to show the cost they paid that can never be fully recompensed by the citizens of this nation. Thank you for your dedication to this worthy cause. Regards, John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
devildog34 Posted November 7, 2013 Share #116 Posted November 7, 2013 Tragic. Thanks for being the keeper of this Marine's story Kurt it's got a great honored home. Semper Fi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uplandmod Posted November 7, 2013 Share #117 Posted November 7, 2013 Incredible! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mes Posted November 8, 2013 Share #118 Posted November 8, 2013 Another Superb group to your awesome collection.Thanks for preserving and showing the history of this brave Marine. Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
American Heritage Posted November 8, 2013 Share #119 Posted November 8, 2013 as the Marine Birthday approaches, this is a fine tribute to this Marine and the Corps. Semper Fi. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kanemono Posted November 8, 2013 Share #120 Posted November 8, 2013 Thanks for sharing Kurt. Dick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kurt Barickman Posted November 11, 2013 Author Share #121 Posted November 11, 2013 Thanks for the positive comments, keep watching for more to come. Kurt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Dentino Posted November 12, 2013 Share #122 Posted November 12, 2013 Kurt, another honored grouping to another Tarawa Marine that will never be forgotten through your efforts and dedication to the preservation of their sacrifice. Thank you for sharing yet another amazing grouping, and look forward to see the "more to come.". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kurt Barickman Posted November 20, 2013 Author Share #123 Posted November 20, 2013 Bringing this to the top on the 70th anniversary of that horrific battle on the island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll, Gilbert Islands. This thread is filled with real heroes who rarely had their chest festooned with medals and accolades. Kurt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raidercollector Posted November 21, 2013 Share #124 Posted November 21, 2013 Kurt Thanks for bumping these up for the anniversary of Tarawa. The young marines that fought there should always be remembered.Great thread again Kurt. Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry K. Posted November 28, 2013 Share #125 Posted November 28, 2013 I would add my thanks to the thread. Semper Fi. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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