Storm Shadow at War
Storm Shadow is one of a family of air-launched cruise missiles made by MBDA Missile …
U.S. Marine Raiders in World War II | Photos
Covering the Crew
A BAR man in the bow of a rubber raiding craft provides cover as a 10-man boat crew reaches the undefended beach of Pavuvu in the Russell Islands. U.S. Marine Corps photo
Training Hard
A U.S. Marine Raider negotiates barbed wire on an obstacle course. U.S. Marine Corps photo
Fighting Fit
U.S. Marine Raiders exercise on the deck of USS Nautilus (SS-168) while en route to the raid on Makin Island on Aug. 11, 1942. The submarine's 6-inch/53-caliber deck gun and an ammunition hoist are in the center of the image. National Archives photo
Victorious Return
The USS Nautilus (SS-168) enters Pearl Harbor on Aug. 26, 1942, following the 2nd Raider Battalion raid on Makin Island. On deck besides the crew are members of Companies A and B, some wearing Navy-issue clothing to replace that which was lost in the surf attempting to return to the submarine. A number of raiders are dressed in black-dyed khaki that they wore in the raid. National Archives photo
Signs of Success
Lt. Col. E.F. Carlson, (left), and Maj. James Roosevelt, (right), pose with the captured Japanese flag that flew above the enemy garrison on Makin Atoll. Following the raid, Roosevelt presented this flag to his father, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, during a trip to Washington, DC. National Archives photo
Carlson’s Patrol
Native guides lead 2nd Raider Battalion Marines on a combat/reconnaissance patrol behind Japanese lines in November 1942, on Guadalcanal. The patrol lasted for nearly a month, during which the Marines covered 150 miles and fought more than a dozen actions. National Archives photo
War Trophies
Carlson's Raiders display Japanese war trophies after their return from the Long Patrol. Carlson is kneeling at center front. National Archives photo
Edson’s Ridge
An American Marine stands near some of the fighting positions on Edson's Ridge after a bloody battle with the Japanese. With the exception of one infiltration, later wiped out, Marine Raiders supported with heavy artillery turned back thrust after thrust by the enemy on Sept. 12-14, 1942. National Archives photo
To the Front
Marine Raiders and their dogs, which are used for scouting and running messages, starting off for the jungle front lines on Bougainville in 1943. U.S. Marine Corps photo
Gung-ho!
U.S. Marine Raiders gathered in front of a captured Japanese dugout on Bougainville, Solomon Islands, in January 1944. U.S. Marine Corps photo
- Categories: Multimedia, Photos
- Tags: Military History, US Marine Corps, US Military, US Navy, World War II: 70 Years
- Comments: 8 Comments
Advertisement
The Marine Raiders were established during World War II as amphibious light infantry meant to land and operate behind enemy lines. The 1st Marine Raider Battalion – “Edson’s Raiders”– and the 2nd Marine Raider Battalion – “Carlson’s Raiders” – are said to have been the first United States special operations forces to form and see combat in World War II. In all, four Marine Raider battalions served operationally in World War II, distinguishing themselves in the Makin Island raid, at Tulagi, on Edson’s Ridge on Guadalcanal, and in later campaigns in the Pacific. Officially disbanded, the 1st, 3rd, and 4th Raider Battalions became the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Battalions of the 4th Marine Regiment, and the 2nd Raider Battalion became the regiment’s weapons company. The 4th Marines later became part of the 6th Marine Division. Personnel of the Raider Training Battalion transferred to the 5th Marine Division. The Marine Raiders are considered the progenitors of Marine Corps special operations forces today.
The Harrier Jump Jet: 45 Years | Photos
Forty-five years ago, in 1966, the Royal Air Force ordered its first Hawker Siddeley Harrier, the GR...
F-35B Makes First Landing at Sea | Photos
On Oct. 3, 2011, at 3:12 p.m. EDT F-35B aircraft BF-2, piloted by Marine Corps Lt. Col. Fred Schenk,...
Military Photos | Missile Launches, MARSOC Freefalls, and Maximum Rate Turns
Periodically we’ll be sharing favorite photos we’ve come across in putting together our various ...
F-4 Phantom 50th Anniversary [Photos]
At a time when jet aircraft were said to lack character in comparison to their piston-engined for...
Advertisement
Recent Defense Stories
- Select a Defense Category
6th Generation Combat Aircraft
When the U.S. Air Force’s F-22 Raptor entered service in December 2005, it was hailed …
Both LCS Variants at Sea Together
The first two littoral combat ships (LCS) were under way together for the first time …
8 Comments
(Add your comment)
eucmh
10:24 AM October 20, 2011I think that the “featured” Marine Raiders storry is short …
Andrew van Der Plaats
12:21 PM October 20, 2011The Raiders were certainly one of the very special forces groups, but it could also be argued that the Army’s Scouts who operated in the Pacific came into existance even earlier.
Thomas Lucas
8:52 PM December 14, 2011Do you have any info on a last name DOYING who, I think, was a Latherneck correspondent who covered EDSON’S RAID? Combat correspondent for Leatherneck who served in the Marianna Islands. His daughter Peg Doying Loop gave me this info. Also born 1912 9 lied about age) died at age 44.
Steven Hoarn (Assistant Editor/Photo Editor)
10:23 AM December 15, 2011During the course of putting together this photo gallery, I didn’t come across a Doying. A cursory Google search did show a Pfc. and later Sgt. George Doying who had written several articles relating to Edson’s Raiders as well as articles about Marines in the Pacific Theater during World War II. As you didn’t provide a first name, I am assuming George is the person you are seeking more information about. I would suggest contacting Leatherneck Magazine (http://www.mca-marines.org/leatherneck/) to see if they have more information about him. He sounds like a fascinating man and one who put himself in harm’s way in order to document an important story.
Thomas Lucas
9:46 AM December 16, 2011Thank you Steve Hoarn for this information I have given it to Mrs. Loop and she is very appreciative.
Semper Fi, Tom Lucas
STEVEN R WILSON
12:39 AM March 1, 2012MY DAD JAMES WILSON WAS AN EDSONS RAIDER LATER 6 MARINE DIV SUGUR LOAF HILL HE COULD NEVER PUT BEHIND HIM
STEVEN R WILSON
12:41 AM March 1, 2012my dad james wilson was an edsons raider
Steven Hoarn (Associate Editor)
8:51 AM March 1, 2012Thank you for your father’s service. What veterans of any war went through is unimaginable to someone who has not experienced it firsthand. My grandmother had a brother who fought in the Battle of the Bulge and she said he came home a different man and never talked about his experiences.
Leave a Comment