Discovery of WWII Marine’s Identification Tag at Iwo Jima
In April 2024, a team from the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) conducted an investigation on Iwo Jima, Japan, to review historical records and explore potential leads related to World War II battle sites. During this mission, personnel from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force discovered an American identification tag near a World War II-era Sherman tank.
The tag was identified as belonging to Billy Weldon Bell, a member of the United States Marine Corps Reserve. Historical research confirmed that Bell served with E Company, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marines, 4th Marine Division and was wounded in action on February 28, 1945, during the Battle of Iwo Jima. He later recovered in U.S. naval hospitals and lived until 2021, passing away at age 95.
The location where the tag was found—near a Sherman M4A3 tank on the island—was analyzed to determine whether it could provide new leads for unresolved missing service members. However, DPAA determined that no U.S. personnel from Bell’s unit remain unaccounted for from that timeframe, and the discovery does not lead to additional recovery efforts.
Despite this, the find holds significant historical and personal value. Efforts are underway to coordinate with U.S. Marine Corps casualty officials and Japanese authorities to return the identification tag to Bell’s family.