On 18 November 1942, the Second Battalion, 8th Marines sent combat patrols across the Matanikau River to provide security for an Army infantry battalion that was crossing over a series of footbridges.
Company E suffered a single casualty during the day’s operations – PFC George H. Payne, who was shot in the head and killed. His remains were buried in the field at an unknown location, and could not be recovered after the battle.
George Payne and Edward Spear enlisted only a few days apart – and were killed only a few days apart. Excerpt from the muster roll of E/2/8th Marines, November 1942.
A lengthy eulogy for George Payne, from an unknown newspaper. Original in the collection of the Vigo County Public Library.