Buariki (Tarawa)

Map of the Tarawa atoll, with Buariki near the northern tip

Buariki is an island in northern Tarawa Atoll in the Gilbert Islands of the Republic of Kiribati and was the site of the World War II Battle of Buariki.

Geography

Buariki lies 31 km from Bairiki in South Tarawa and 60 km from the neighboring atoll of Marakei.

History

In World War II, the final battle of the Tarawa campaign occurred here on 26 November 1943, when the United States' 2nd Battalion 6th Marines fought the Battle of Buariki. The entire surviving Japanese force of 156, who had escaped Betio and were trapped at Buariki, fought to the death. The Marines had lost 34 men while 56 were wounded.

See also

• Buariki (Aranuka)

Coordinates: 1°36′36″N 172°56′59″E / 1.61000°N 172.94972°E / 1.61000; 172.94972

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