Private Ahrens was found dead after killing several Japanese in hand to hand combat. His last words were that the Enemy must not have known he was a United States Marine. He was Awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor!

Edward Ahrens

Despite enemy fire, 2nd Division Marines wade toward the shore at Tarawa Island, Gilbert Islands Group, North Pacific Ocean. 
Landing boats and barges brought them to within 500 yards of the beach, but the coral bottom prevented the boats coming any closer to the shore. LVTs were able to cross the reef and deliver Marines and supplies to the shore, but there were too few and most were knocked out. Casualties were heavy; 20-23 November, 1943.

Marines coming in at Tarawa

A Douglas R4D transport plane (center) loads wounded Marines on Iwo Jima’s South Airfield, for evacuation to a Navy hospital on Guam; March 1945.
   Mount Suribachi is visible on the left.