July 19, 2025 #1 Local News, Information and Event Source for the Century City/Westwood areas.

Leave No Soldier Behind

Leon Cooper awash in garbage at red Beach on the island of Tarawa.

The Battle of Tarawa was the second confrontation between U.S. and Japanese forces in the Pacific Theatre. It resulted in one of the WWII’s bloodiest battles.  At the end of three days of fighting – November 20th – 23rd, 1943 – 1,100 U.S. Marines were dead, 2,400 wounded and all but 17 of the Island’s 4,700 Japanese defenders had perished.  

This was Malibu resident and Navy Ensign Leon Cooper’s introduction to the war.  A Higgins Boat coxswain, Cooper ferried scores of soldiers from the large transports that traversed the Pacific to the small island – located in an atoll approximately 2,500 miles south of Hawaii – for battle.  [Higgins boats are plywood landing crafts. These are the boats featured in the opening of Saving Private Ryan.]

Although the battle lasted for three days, Cooper was on the island for over a week – along with the rotting corpses of fallen soldiers and the sound of U.S. warplanes using the airstrip that the victorious fighters had secured. Cooper fought in five more battles during his four years in WWII. Soon after returning to his desk as a federal employee, Cooper grew restless and left the government – going to work as a management consultant.  

Then, in 2005, Cooper started yet another phase of his career: writer and activist. He has written two books and co-authored one screenplay. In February of this year, Cooper returned to Tarawa.  

Filmmaker Steven Barber and film’s narrator, Academy Award winning actor Ed Harris.

“As soon as I set foot on the island the smell came back to me,†Cooper recalled of his walk on Red Beach where he lost so many of his comrades. “The hallowed ground where heroes fell is now used as a giant trash dump by the locals.  The remains of brave Americans soldiers are still on the island. It’s unconscionable!†Cooper’s voice rises with passion.

Ever since that fateful walk, Cooper has made it his mission to restore Red Beach to its pristine beauty, as a permanent war memorial to the servicemen who took part in the battle.  

However Cooper is concerned with more than the past. He sees his efforts as a way to protect the future as well. “Live ammunition, U.S. ammunition, is still on the beach and it’s killing and maiming islanders. Kids are especially vulnerable. The ammunition is bright and shiny so it appeals to kids.†So far, Cooper hasn’t gotten any support from U.S. officials, despite numerous appeals to both Sacramento and Washington, D.C.  He hopes this might change when he goes to Washington the week of December 7th to visit his grown children and lobby lawmakers.  

Documentary filmmaker Steven Barber’s film about Cooper’s journey, Tarawa: Darkness Remembered, narrated by Ed Harris, follows in the tradition of great films about the battle; With the Marines at Tarawa which won the 1944 Academy Award for Best Documentary Short. Barber’s film should be completed in the beginning of 2009. He and Cooper hope to bring it to a cable outlet and in doing so, hope to garner enough interest so that the brave men of 1943 can finally rests in peace.

For more information on the documentary, “Return to Tarawa: The Leon Cooper Story†visit www.returntotarawa.com

For more information on Mr. Cooper’s books; “90 Day Wonder – Darkness Remembered,†and “The War in the Pacific – A Retrospective,†visit: www.90daywonder.net and www.warinpacific.net

in News
Related Posts

Man Arrested in Brentwood for Impersonating Firefighter During Palisades Fire

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

The suspect faces at least 28 criminal counts—including 23 felonies—spanning incidents from 2023 to May 2025 Federal and local law...

Study Highlights Economic Impact of Cap-and-Trade Extension in Los Angeles

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

Governor Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders are pushing to reauthorize the program this year, citing its role in generating 287,000...

Nearly $1B Secured for Refinancing of Westfield Century City Mall

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

The proceeds will replace a $925 million commercial mortgage-backed securities loan, originally issued by Morgan Stanley in 2023 and due...

West Coast Premiere of ‘The Opposite of Love’ Opens at Hudson Backstage Theatre

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

Produced by Neil Gooding Productions, behind shows like Back to the Future: The Musical, the play runs Thursdays through Saturdays...

Tesla Seen Nearly Crashing into West LA Home After Collision

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

Footage depicted a blue Prius on the road with significant front-end damage A crash involving injuries was reported around 12:30...

DUI Checkpoints to be Conducted Across LA This Weekend

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The LAPD selects checkpoint sites based on data indicating high incidents of impaired driving-related crashes and arrests The Los Angeles...

Mayor Bass Hails National Guard Withdrawal as Victory for Unity

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The Pentagon’s decision to reduce the troop presence follows weeks of legal challenges and public demonstrations Mayor Karen Bass celebrated...

(Video) Did You Know Emma Chamberlain’s Coffee Shop is in Century City?

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The outpost is a first for the popular influencer Did You Know Emma Chamberlain’s Coffee Shop is in Century City?...

Dodgers to Host Back to School Bash for Fire-Affected Families

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The free event will offer free groceries, school supplies, outfits, haircuts, medical screenings, and carnival rides The Los Angeles Dodgers...

Hundreds of Red-Legged Frog Tadpoles Released in Santa Monica Mountains

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

Once widespread in California, red-legged frogs vanished from the Santa Monica Mountains by the 1970s Nearly 600 California red-legged frog...

LA Sees Second Straight Year of Homelessness Decline, Leaders Celebrate Progress

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The survey, designed by the University of Southern California, reported a 17.5% drop—the largest two-year decrease on record The Los...

Westwood Village Board to Discuss Public Art Initiative

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

The initiative aims to enhance community pride, boost local business revenue, and address urban blight through public art corridors and...

Beverly Hills Plans Major Apartment Development Near Civic Center

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

The site, currently holding 13 residential units, is slated for demolition to make way for the new development A proposal...

Federal Judge Sides with Santa Monica, Other Local Governments Against Immigration Raids

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

Santa Monica Mayor Lana Negrete praised the ruling, saying it reaffirmed the city’s commitment to protecting residents from unjust detention...

California Hits Two-Thirds Clean Energy Milestone

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

This year, clean energy has powered the state for an average of seven hours daily, with over 90% of days...