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| greatest battles in history at Belleu Wood, France during WW1. Marines crushed the German offensive that threatened Paris. In honor the French renamed the area "the Wood of the Brigade of Marines." Germans evaluated the Marines as "storm troops" (the highest rating on the enemy fighting scale. Germans called the Marines "teufelhunden" or "Devil Dogs." |
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| 7 Aug 1942, 1st Mardiv landed on the island of Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands, launched the first U.S. land offensive of WW2. it also marked the first combat test of the new amphibious doctrine. amphibious landings followed on the remaining soloman islands including, New Georgia, Choiseul, and Bougainville. |
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| Gillbert Islands were the fist in the line of advance for the offensive. prime objective was the Tarawa Atoll and Betio Island. Japanese commander proclaimed it would take a million Americans 100 years to conquer it. 20 November 1943 marines landed and secured the island within 76 hours. Because of the extended reef Marines were offloaded hundreds of yards from the beaches. Heavy losses from enemy fire as well as drowning. |
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| The Battle of Mariana islands |
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| Due for the need for airfields landings on the islands of Saipan, Guam, and Tinian accomplished this. Lt Gen. Holland M. Smith led a combined invasion force of marines and soldiers that totaled over 136,000. greatest number of troops up to that time to operate in the field under Marine command. |
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On 19 Feb 1945, was the largest all-marine battle in history. the USMC suffered over 23,300 casualties. it greatly increased air support and bombing operations.
Admiral Chester W. Nimiz said "Aomong the Americans who served on Iwo Island, uncommon valor was a common virtue." |
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| Battle of Chosin Reservoir |
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| after pushing far into north Korea during November of 1950 Marines were cut off after the Chinese Communist Forces entered the war. Desite facing 10 division force sent to annihilate them, marines smashed 7 enemy divisions in their march. major significance of this retrograde movement was that Marines brought out all operable equipment, properly evacuated their wounded and dead and maintained tactical integrity. |
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| during the vietnamese holiday of Tet, in January 1968, communist launched a suprise offensive. a near division size unit of NVA troops occupied the city. Marines fought in built up areas for the first time since the Korean War foregoing the application of heavy arms. fighting was house-to-house with progress MEASURED IN YARDS. the city was secured on Feb 25 1968. |
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