No, not Normandy.

Eight months to the day after Pearl Harbor, the US Navy disembarked the First Marine Division on Guadalcanal and Tulagi. They unloaded approx. 9,000 men the first day. Three days later, the fleet and transports sailed off and left the Marines without sufficient supplies of food, weapons or equipment. They wouldn't return for some time.
Thus began a fight that would rage for six months. Without "Pacific" most folks today would not know much if anything about how important and history changing this battle was.
The Japanese general in command of the Sendai Division, General Maruyama, told his men before the Battle for Henderson field in Oct. " This is the decisive battle between Japan and the United States in which the rise and fall of the Japanese Empire will be decided. If we do not succeed in the occupation of these islands , no one should expect to return to Japan."

The Marines, Army, Navy and Coast Guard all played a significant role in this epic struggle and made sure a lot of them stayed there.

After the Navy abandoned them the Marines commemorated the battle by casting the "George Medal" when they returned to Australia. It depicts a hand in a Navy Sleeve dropping a Hot cactus-like potato shaped like the island int the arms of a Marine. It says "Faciat Georgius". (Let George do it.) The back of the medal shows a cow's ass and a fan blowing air. (When the sheet hits the fan. ) and says: "In fond remembrance of the happy days spent from Aug. 7th 1942 to Jan 5, 1943. U.S.M.C."
The George Medal

Quite a few Marines were awarded the Medal of Honor for their acts on Guadalcanal. Sgt. Basilone's feat was documented in "Pacific". Mitchell Paige, another Sgt. in charge of a machine gun unit also earned his in the same battle.
Mitchell Paige, Medal of Honor, WWII - YouTube

Marine pilot Joe Foss shot down 26 enemy aircraft during the battle and was awarded the Medal of Honor. He bacame the governor of South Dakota and later was the first commissioner of the American Footbal League.

The "Cactus Air Force" based on Guadalcanal also included Navy carrier pilots like Francis " Cash" Register, who flew with VF5 on the Enterprise and was transferred to Henderson Field during the battle. He kept a diary. Pretty interesting:
DIARY OF SEGMENT


September 12, 1942
Today started the war to the end for us. This I believe is the hottest battle front there is now. 26 VB and 20 VF came over today dropping bombs on field; really raising hell. Again I got separated because of engine trouble and was attacked by Zero's. Got one and was very lucky to get back. There is no way for me to explain the seriousness of our position. We are fighting for our very lives. Everyone is exhausted from fighting day and night. May God give us the strength and help us. We get no help or relief from home. This is beginning to look like another Bataan. We are expecting to be shelled tonight by cruisers

September 13, 1942
Later next morning. - We were shelled last night as if hell broke loose. Eight of us were in a bomb crater digging like gophers. Shells whistling and bursting all around, with heavy fire from the hills around us. Lost 4 VB pilots last night with a direct hit on the bomb shelter. Many more gone. We are standing by now for a carrier attack.

I have never seen and I don't think this has occurred any other place, the terrific courageous fight the men are making here at Guadalcanal. We have the worst jungle conditions here with the Marines striking out in it hunting out Japs. We only hold a 10 mile radius from the beach. The island is 80 miles long and 30 miles wide and the rest of it is full of Japs. Over 5,000 and more coming in every day and night. They shoot at us on takeoff and landing. Our strategy and leadership has been very poor on this whole invasion. It has been very disheartening and has discouraged the men terribly. So many mistakes have been made. They have sent us no equipment or reinforcements. For two weeks they ate Jap rice on the island. If the people back home only knew the truth, instead of what is put out to them.

Don't know how much longer I can last. Flew over 4 hours and most of the time at 26,000 feet. Zero's came over this morning with us losing many pilots. Two very good friends were killed one on the field. This afternoon we intercepted 26 VB and 20 VF. I got 1 VB, ran out of gas and just made the field. Two were killed like this yesterday. God, I never knew life could be like this; we are like rats in a trap fighting every minute for our lives and knowing it's just a matter of time before we will all go. Very few of my friends I started with are left. We are taking a terrible toll on the Japs, but can't stop them.

September 19, 1942
Went up on an early morning alert but nothing came over. About nine, Admiral Fitch flew in on a DC-3. He left again at 1200 so 8 of us escorted him about 80 miles on his way back to ensure his safety. There seems very little prospect of any relief here for us. The biggest trouble with us all is lack of vitamins and being unable to eat. We are all losing weight and are slipping every day. We are all filthy and unhealthy. The Marines on the island really appreciate us, however. They speak and look at us as Gods. They feel that we came just in time and have saved them. We have done a wonderful job and have kept the Jap planes away lately. Their appreciation means more to us than anything else, and we'll all fight to the end to keep that faith.

September 30, 1942
Tested hopped #20 my airplane after they put a new engine in it. Really put it through the paces and put on a good show for the ground crews. Rained very hard all day. Admiral Nimitz flew in at 1600. A few of us will be awarded medals. I have been recommended for some time for the Distinguished Flying Cross and have just been recommended for the Naval Cross. Don't know what I'll get, if anything. Received a very nice compliment from the Captain. He said, "Register you're a damned good man; you have volunteered for every hop and have done far more than your part". This and my work and what I have done is my satisfaction.

October 1, 1942
This morning I was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. Admiral Nimitz pinned the medal on my chest. He read my citation and shook hands and said he hoped to see me with Stars and many more planes. I have never thought of medals, as I never dreamed I would get one. I have always done my very best and have flown whenever possible. I am very thankful and joyful. This will give my wife and folks joy; mine comes from my work.

October 13, 1942
Learned this morning that three other fellows and myself are to be evacuated tomorrow. They seem to think we are too exhausted and run down to fly. Still believe I'm all right; am the same as before. The doctor found out about my neck and said I was through for awhile. Had the worst raid we have ever had today. 22 HB came over with us not making interception. They hit the runway and surrounding area very hard. The earth shook and the air howled. An hour later 13 HB came over and hit us worse. We lost many planes and a lot of material. Runway is in very poor shape. If there ever was a hell on earth, this was it today.



October 14, 1942
Last night looked like the beginning of the end. A battleship and cruisers shelled us for two hours. Never thought I would live through the night. Our whole area was wrecked. Gas, material and planes were just about wiped out. Shells rained all around us hitting not more than 30 feet from me. The ground shook all through the shelling. Many people went crazy and many were killed. There never was a hell like this and people will never know what this has been. Got out on a B-17; very lucky as the runway was in very poor shape. Looks very bad for Guadalcanal. They bombed us 8 times last night.

****

The Allied victory at Guadalcanal turned the tide of the war in the Pacific. An irony of history that the US bombing of Hiroshima occurred on Aug. 6th 1945, on the eve of the third anniversary of the beginning of the Solomons campaign.

I read Guadalcanal Diary as a 12 year old at my Father's insistance.

I learned the meaning of the words COURAGE and DETERMINATION.

Together they spell FREEDOM.

My father and Uncle were at this battle, as Marines. Thanks for the rememberance.

Interesting. I've never seen that before. Thanks for posting it, Jim.

__________________
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OBK #55

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Good stuff Dynalow

Saw this on the web:

The George Medal

I suspect the planners of that early operation were just not aware of the fighting ability, determination, and training of the japanese army.. Almost a fatal error during that battle.

There is little doubt that when moving ahead after that battle they were well aware of what they faced. I think the caractures and anti japanese propaganda possibly gave a false and misleading indication of what the american invaders faced initially.

The americans planners did know in advance from the russian experience much earlier that the japanese navy was good. Their air force was pretty good as well was known. So why would they not consider that the japanese armies might be as well?

Anyways I was born a month before that operation occured. It is now a long time ago and I doubt if any participants on either side other than a perhaps a few are still alive. For many of them it must have been the experience of a lifetime.

Interesting that you post this today.

Forty years ago to the day, I was drafted.

I retired from the uniformed services 8 days ago.

One job down, one to go.

__________________
Strelnik
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Congratulations on your retirement, Strelnik. I hope the passage to f/t civilian is a smooth one.
What was your lottery number?