History of the Marine Corps

The US Army’s arrival brought reinforcements and a reorganization of American troops. New tactics, like flamethrowers and enhanced naval gunfire, were introduced, though terrain and enemy fortifications remained challenging. The 1st Marine Division, weakened by malaria and extended combat, was finally relieved and sent to Australia for some much-needed rest. We end the episode by touching on how Guadalcanal advanced amphibious warfare doctrines and technology and improved coordination between military branches.

This episode dives into the strategic reorganization of American forces during the Guadalcanal campaign. The 164th Infantry and 7th Marines, positioned in the East Sector, tackled the harsh terrain as they encircled the enemy. Company B of the 8th Marines in the West Sector was crucial in securing vital artillery positions. Central to the operation's success was the 2nd Raider Battalion. Known for their bold patrolling tactics, their objective was to ambush and attack the enemy unpredictably. Yet, despite their strategic prowess, some Japanese forces slipped away due to communication and coordination hiccups. We'll also spotlight the pivotal naval and air battles that cut off Japanese supply lines, focusing on the decisive role of American aviation based at Henderson Field. This relentless air pressure prompted Japan to shift its strategy from trying to recapture Guadalcanal to sustaining and extracting its forces. Additionally, we'll cover the deployment of war dogs and the crucial reconnaissance missions undertaken by the 2nd Raider Battalion.

The episode will explore the intense engagements, including the Matanikau Phase, where American forces repelled Japanese attacks with strategic positioning and artillery. We'll discuss the heroic acts of individuals like John Basilone, who earned the Medal of Honor, and the leadership shifts that marked a turning point in the battle.

Following the initial engagement with the Ichiki Force, the Marines braced for more severe Japanese attacks along with ongoing air raids and bombardments. Despite limited resources, the Cactus Air Force, comprising Marine, Navy, and Army Air Force units, demonstrated remarkable resilience and efficiency.  This episode explores the harsh realities at Henderson Field, from crude refueling methods to the vulnerability of the airfield to weather and enemy actions. Despite these challenges, significant progress was made in infrastructure and defense capabilities, enhancing the airfield's functionality and resilience. We also dive into a few battles and introduce the one and only Chesty Puller as he leads his Marines against Japanese forces.

Continuing from last week, we focus on Vandergrift and his Marines as they struggle with insufficient supplies and limited intelligence. This episode sets the stage for the Battle of the Tenaru, detailing the Marines' defensive tactics and hurdles while taking an in-depth look at the fight. 

This episode shifts focus from Yoke's journey toward Tulagi to Task Group X-Ray's approach to Beach Red on Guadalcanal, marking the first land offensive by American forces in WWII. The Marines, much like in Tulagi, were confronted with a stark difference between the intelligence they possessed and the actual situation on Guadalcanal. Their reliance on old sailing charts and the varied and often inaccurate accounts from ex-residents led to an essential shift in their strategy. The episode wraps up by considering the wider impact of the Guadalcanal Campaign, underscoring the challenges the Marines faced, including the lack of supplies, logistical hurdles, and the imperative need to adapt quickly to the unpredictable and adverse conditions they encountered.

This episode follows the approach of Transport Group Yoke towards Tulagi. The initial bombardments by supporting aircraft and naval vessels set the stage for the Marines' landing. Once ashore, we'll discuss the challenging terrain of Tulagi and the tactical advances of the 1st Marine Raider Battalion and 2/5, as they navigate the island's ridges and confront enemy forces.   I’ll release images to help visualize the battlefield. They can be found on our social media sites or the episodes page below: https://www.historyofthemarinecorps.com/episodes/guadalcanal-and-tulagi-part-2 ·       Images 1-3 (2:12): These maps show Transport Group Yoke’s advancement towards Tulagi, detailing their landing area and offering an overview of the neighboring islands   ·       Map 4 (7:15): Advancement of the 1st Marine Raider Battalion Towards Phase Line A. ·       Map 5-6 (11:31): Follows the Marine's advance beyond Phase Line A, heading towards Hills 208 and 281. ·       Maps 7-8 (17:30): Maps of Gavutu and Tanambogo, location of enemy caves and unit movement

The Solomon Islands campaign during World War II was a pivotal moment in the Pacific Theater, marking the first major Allied offensive against the Japanese forces. This eight-part series will focus on a series of land and naval battles in the lower Solomons that were crucial in turning the tide of war in favor of the Allies.  The Guadalcanal campaign was characterized by intense and grueling warfare, both in the dense jungles and across the vast ocean. This episode explores not only the tactical maneuvers and strategic decisions that shaped this campaign but also emphasizes the resilience, valor, and sacrifices of the Marines involved.  

Amid the potential of the US entering WWII, American Samoa emerged as a linchpin in the Pacific defense strategy. With tensions rising and rumors of a Japanese attack swirling, the Marines swiftly fortified the island, constructing defenses, coastal emplacements, and antiaircraft positions. To bolster their forces, the Marines established the 1st Samoan Battalion, comprising native recruits who played an instrumental role in defending their homeland. The Marines' presence in Samoa grew to over 10,000 strong, transforming the islands into a training ground for future battles. Their efforts helped safeguard communication routes and acted as a deterrent against potential aggression.

During World War II, Iceland gained strategic significance due to its proximity to Europe and North America. When Germany invaded Denmark in April 1940, Britain realized the importance of preventing a similar invasion of Iceland and decided to occupy the island. However, their occupation was short-lived, as they had to return to defend against Germany's planned attack on the United Kingdom. British Prime Minister Winston Churchill sought help from President Franklin D. Roosevelt to safeguard Iceland. In response, the United States sent Marines to Iceland five months before officially entering the war.

In this episode, we finish up our series on the history of desegregation in the Marines. We begin with a few stories about the Korean War, the continuing issue with the stewards MOS, racial tensions in the Vietnam War, and end with Desert Storm. 

In this episode, we explore the journey of the Montford Point Marines during WWII. After training, they prepared to join their brothers in arms in the Pacific. We delve into the organization of the 51st and 52nd battalions, some milestones, their involvement in the war, and a few heroic stories. 

Montford Point was established in 1942, and this is the perfect time to take a break from the Pacific and focus the next few episodes on the history of desegregation in the Marine Corps. Marines at Montford Point overcame substantial hurdles to serve in the Corps. They were enlisting in a branch that literally didn't want them (Holcomb confirmed this in testimony before the General Board of the Navy, where he concluded with the claim that they were trying to "break into a club that doesn't want them.") Montford Point Marines also had to overcome the doubt that they could meet the standards of the Corps. Hashmark Johnson, the recruit depot battalion Sergeant Major, trained his recruits hard to ensure there was no question that Marines produced in his depot would exceed the standards set by the Corps.

The Battle of Bataan and Corregidor comes to an end during this episode. This episode discusses the island surrender, some heroic stories from Marines on Corregidor, and statistics about the battle. 

Japanese forces occupied most of Luzon, and US/Philippine forces withdrew south to establish a defensive line. 72 officers and 1173 enlisted from more than 50 organizations joined the 4th Marines. This made them one of the most diverse Marine units ever to have existed. Despite the additional reinforcements, many newcomers to the 4th were sailors and didn't have experience with ground warfare. Marines were stuck between a rock and a hard place. In addition to fighting off the enemy, they had to train new troops on the basics, including how to load a rifle. 

This episode continues our discussion in the Philippines. Most of the 4th Marines were positioned on Corregidor, a small, tadpole-shaped island in the mouth of Manila Bay. Japan's domination of air and sea cut off food and supplies to the peninsula's defenders. By April 1942, many troops had lost as much as a third of their body weight.

Kevin Sadaj served in the Marine Corps from 1989 to 1993 and participated in Operation Restore Hope. In 2011 he cofounded the Marine Somalia Veterans Association, which has over 2000 members. The association serves as a place of fellowship and support for members who served in Somalia and is a repository of the history of their experiences.   Website: https://marinesomaliavetsassociation.home.blog Membership: https://marinesomaliavetsassociation.home.blog/membership Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/USMCSomaliaVetsAssn  

A coordinated raid targeted US installations in the Philippines shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Japan's invasion caused US forces to withdraw and led to indefensible brutalities, such as the infamous Bataan Death March. Part 1 of this series looks at the battle's opening days from the Marine Corps perspective.

The attack on Guam came only a few hours after the attack on Pearl Harbor. The island's defending force was significantly undergunned against the 5,500 troops from Japan's South Seas Detachment. We spend a little time talking about the amusing way Guam came into US possession, attempts to fortify Guam, and the Japanese attack on the island.

This episode continues our discussion on the Battle of Wake. After Japan’s initial attack, all hands on the island prepared for a second raid. We’ll discuss Japan’s first attempt at an amphibious landing, Japanese air raids in the days following, and end with Wake’s surrender.