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Okla-homey
8/7/2006, 06:20 AM
August 7, 1942 U.S. forces invade Guadalcanal

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64 years ago on this day in 1942, the U.S. 1st Marine Division begins Operation WATCHTOWER, the first U.S. offensive of the war, by landing on Guadalcanal, one of the Solomon Islands.

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On July 6, 1942, the Japanese had landed on Guadalcanal Island and began constructing an airfield there. Operation WATCHTOWER was the codename for the U.S. plan to invade Guadalcanal and the surrounding islands.

During the attack, American troops landed on five islands within the Solomon chain. Although the invasion came as a complete surprise to the Japanese (bad weather had grounded their scouting aircraft), the landings on Florida, Tulagi, Gavutu, and Tananbogo met much initial opposition from the Japanese defenders.

But the Americans who landed on Guadalcanal met little resistance-at least at first. More than 11,000 Marines had landed, and 24 hours had passed, before the Japanese manning the garrison there knew of the attack.

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Going ashore on Guadalcanal. The calm before the storm

The U.S. forces quickly took their main objective, the airfield, and the outnumbered Japanese troops retreated, but not for long. Reinforcements were brought in, and fierce hand-to-hand jungle fighting ensued. "I have never heard or read of this kind of fighting," wrote one American major general on the scene. "These people refuse to surrender."

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Marine putting a captured Japanese automatic rifle to good use

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Pounding away with a mountain howitzer

The Americans were at a particular disadvantage, being assaulted from both the sea and air. But the U.S. Navy was able to reinforce its troops to a greater extent, and by February 1943, the Japanese had retreated on secret orders of their emperor (so secret, the Americans did not even know it had taken place until they began happening upon abandoned positions, empty boats, and discarded supplies).

http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/4876/xxguadalcanal2020flagih4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

In total, the Japanese had lost more than 25,000 men, compared with a loss of 1,600 by the Americans. Each side lost 24 warships.

The first Medal of Honor given to a Marine was awarded to Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone, USMC for his fighting during Operation WATCHTOWER.

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Here's GySgt Basilone's MoH Citation:


For extraordinary heroism and conspicuous gallantry in action against enemy Japanese forces, above and beyond the call of duty, while serving with the 1st Battalion, 7th Marines in the Lunga Area, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on 24 and 25 of October 1942. While the enemy was hammering at the Marines defensive positions, Sgt. Basilone, in charge of 2 sections of heavy machine guns, fought valiantly to check the savage and determined assault. In a fierce frontal attack with the Japanese blasting his guns with grenades and mortar fire, one of Sgt. Basilone’s sections, with its “gun crews”, was put out of action, leaving only 2 men able to carry on. Moving an extra gun into position, he placed it in action, then, under continual fire, repaired another and personally manned it, gallantly holding his line until replacements arrives. A little later, with ammunition critically low and the supply lines cut off, Sgt. Basilone, at great risk to his own life and in the face of continued enemy attack, battled his way through hostile lines with urgently needed shells for his gunners, thereby contributing in large measure to the virtual annihilation of a Japanese regiment. His great personal valor and courageous initiative were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/6496/xxbasilonewithgunportraitlo4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

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royalfan5
8/7/2006, 08:01 AM
What no mention of Savo Island or are you saving that for tomorrow?