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TAPS
Fading light dims the sight,
And a star gems the sky,
Gleaming bright.
From afar drawing nigh,
Falls the night.
Day is done, gone the sun,
From the lake, From the hills,
From the sky.
All is well, safely rest,
God is nigh.
Then good night, Peaceful night,
Till the light of the dawn
Shineth bright,
God is near, do not fear,
Friend, good night. |
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BORN:
December 30, 1904 at Battle Ground, IN
Entered Service in the US
Marine Corps from Indiana
Earned the Medal of Honor during World War II For heroism on
November 20 - 22, 1943 at Betio Island, Tarawa Atol, Gilbert
Islands
DIED: January
13, 1983 at the age of 78
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Colonel Shoup
was commanding officer of all Marine Corps troops in action
against enemy Japanese forces on Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll.
Although severely shocked by an exploding enemy shell soon after
landing at the pier and suffering from a serious, painful leg
wound which had become infected, Colonel Shoup fearlessly
exposed himself to the terrific and relentless artillery,
machinegun, and rifle fire from hostile shore emplacements.
Rallying his hesitant troops by his own inspiring heroism, he
gallantly led them across the fringing reefs to charge the
heavily fortified island and reinforce our hard-pressed, thinly
held lines. Upon arrival on shore, he assumed command of all
landed troops and, working without rest under constant,
withering enemy fire during the next two days, conducted
smashing attacks against unbelievably strong and fanatically
defended Japanese positions despite innumerable obstacles and
heavy casualties. By his brilliant leadership daring tactics,
and selfless devotion to duty, Colonel Shoup was largely
responsible for the final decisive defeat of the enemy.
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