77th Anniversary - Battle of Tarawa & Makin (Butaritari), KIRIBATI

To commemorate the 77th anniversary of one of the bloodiest battles in the Pacific Theatre of WWII, the Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) is releasing a series of videos and personal interviews and accounts of I-Kiribati survivors of the 1943 battles of Tarawa and Makin (Butaritari).
90 year old Daisy Namakin Kumkee is one of only a few I-Kiribati survivors of the Battle of Makin. Here is her account of the invasion on the island of Makin on 20 November 1943. We thank her for her willingness to share such memories with us and we wish her continued good health and happiness.

[@nunya4244]

These stories are so important! My father was with the 2d Marine Division on Tarawa (also Saipan and Tinian). He didn't say much about the war, but he did say much about the civilians. He cared very much for the local people. I would love to visit there one day.

[@bennamakin7819]

E rabwa raweakin ana story tibuu aio. E maiti riki aika aaki oti ikai ea kan maninga 😀