No one has ever written a book like this before. Most books whose subject matter concerns military activities involve descriptions of heroic actions performed by the participants and give details of equipment, strategies, tactics, unit movements, and the like. Some try to develop the colorful personalities of the central characters and relate stories of how these men influenced the battle, but no one has ever written a book like this one. What you are about to read is a comprehensive research study which accurately identifies and locates the undiscovered graves of many Marines and Sailors killed in action during the battle for the island of Betio, Tarawa Atoll, Gilbert Islands. I must caution you that this is not a book about war. It is not about the United States Marine Corps, the United States Navy, Army or any other military organization. It is rather, a book about honoring sacrifice. It was written to recognize and honor a small group of American heroes, all of whom died in service to their country and to the cause of freedom. Who these men were and what they did materially affects the way we live today, and it is in their memory this work was created.