Ahoy Raiders!

On August 17, 1942 the Marine Raiders struck Makin Island in the Gilberts. This photo is taken nearly two years later at Bougainville.

January 1944: These U.S. Marine Raiders, with the reputation of being skillful jungle fighters, pose in front of a Japanese stronghold they conquered at Cape Totkina, Bougainville. (AP Photo)

Posted on August 19, 2010 at 20:08 by Chris Carter · Permalink · Leave a comment
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Marine Raiders Documentary

Came across this video on the Marine Raiders, who fought on Makin Island 67 years ago this week. The raid is said to be the first special operation for the Marine Corps.

You can order the DVD version here.

More Raider videos here.

Posted on August 19, 2009 at 11:18 by Chris Carter · Permalink · Leave a comment
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Military Milestones from the Battle of Camden to Banzai Attacks at Tenaru

Sgt. Clyde Thomason, the first enlisted Marine recipient of the Medal of Honor

Sgt. Clyde Thomason, the first enlisted Marine recipient of the Medal of Honor in World War II

By W. Thomas Smith, Jr.

Originally published at Human Events

Aug. 16, 1780: The Battle of Camden (S.C.) — one of the worst tactical blunders on the part of the Continentals during the American Revolution — opens between British Army forces under the command of Gen. Sir Charles Cornwallis and Continental Army forces under Gen. Horatio Gates.

Though the Americans will be decisively defeated at Camden — thanks to Gates’ improperly positioning inexperienced militia against seasoned regiments of the regular British Army, as well as his complete loss of tactical control — the battle will prove to be something of a highwater mark for British forces in the southern colonies.

Gates himself will break and run, earning him the nickname, “Galloping Gates.” But the heroics of many of the ill-fated Continental officers and men (like Gen. Johann Baron de Kalb) will prove to be exemplary. And Gen. George Washington — always able to recover from strategic setbacks — will choose the exceptionally able Gen. Nathanael Greene as Gates’ replacement.

Aug. 16, 1940: Soldiers with the U.S. Army’s parachute test platoon begin jumping over Fort Benning, Ga. The airborne exercise (actually more of an experiment) is the first for the Army.

In 2001, Pres. George W. Bush will proclaim “August 16” of each year as National Airborne Day.

Aug. 17, 1942: Ahoy Raiders! U.S. Marine Raiders strike Makin Island in the Gilberts.

Sgt. Clyde Thomason, killed during the fighting, will become the first Marine in World War II to receive the Medal of Honor.

Note: Video of the Marine Raiders can be found here.

(more…)

Makin Island Raiders

H/T Bill

On 17 Aug. 1942, a raiding force from 2nd Raider Battalion launched from two submarines, the USS Argonaut and the USS Nautilus, landed on Makin Island (now Butaritari Island) and defeated a numerically superior Japanese garrison. 21 Marines were killed during the operation, including Sgt. Clyde A. Thomason, who became the first Marine to be awarded the Medal of Honor during World War II. The leader of the force, Lt. Col. Evan Carlson was awarded the Navy Cross.

The successful action by the Raiders is considered to be the Marine Corps’ first special operation.

The remains of 19 Marines from the raid were recovered in 2001. Among those recovered was Cpl. Mason O. Yarbrough, a native of nearby (to me) Sikeston, Missouri. Our local Marine Corps League (Det. 1081) is named after Yarbrough.

Part 1

Part 2

Marines now train at the Sgt. Clyde Thomason Amphibious Skills Training Facility in Coronado in amphibious landings.

Posted on April 20, 2009 at 14:40 by Chris Carter · Permalink · 4 Comments
In: Military History · Tagged with: , ,

Jack Lummus Medal of Honor citation

Navy MOH Citation

The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to

FIRST LIEUTENANT

JACK LUMMUS

MARINE CORPS RESERVE

for service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

For The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant Jack Lummus, United States Marine Corps (Reserve), for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as leader of a Rifle Platoon of Company E, attached to the Second Battalion, Twenty-Seventh Marines, FIFTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands, 8 March 1945. Resuming his assault tactics with bold decision after fighting without respite for two days and nights, First Lieutenant Lummus slowly advanced his platoon against an enemy deeply entrenched in a network of mutually supporting positions. Suddenly halted by a terrific concentration of hostile fire, he unhesitatingly moved forward of his front lines in an effort to neutralize the Japanese position. Although knocked to the ground when an enemy grenade exploded close by, he immediately recovered himself and, again moving forward despite the intensified barrage, quickly located, attacked, and destroyed the occupied emplacement. Instantly taken under fire by the garrison of a supporting pillbox and further assailed by the slashing fury of hostile rifle fire, he fell under the impact of a second enemy grenade but, courageously disregarding painful shoulder wounds, staunchly continued his heroic one man assault and charged the second pillbox, annihilating all the occupants. Subsequently returning to his platoon position, he fearlessly traversed his lines under fire, encouraging his men to advance and directing the fire of supporting tanks against other stubbornly holding Japanese emplacements. Held up again by a devastating barrage, he again moved into the open, rushed a third heavily fortified installation and killed the defending troops. Determined to crush all resistance, he led his men indomitably, personally attacking foxholes and spider traps with his carbine and systematically reducing the fanatic opposition until, stepping on a land mine, he sustained fatal wounds. By his outstanding valor, skilled tactics, and tenacious perseverance in the face of overwhelming odds, First Lieutenant Lummus had inspired his stouthearted Marines to continue the relentless drive northward, thereby contributing materially to the success of his regimental mission. His dauntless leadership and unwavering devotion to duty throughout sustain and enhance the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country.

Born: 22 Oct. 1915 in Ennis, Tex…. Company E, 2d Battalion, 27th Marines, 5th Marine Division… Played professional football for the New York Giants and minor league baseball… Served as Corporal prior to selection for Officer Candidate School… Served with the Marine Raiders… Namesake of USNS 1st Lt. Jack Lummus (T-AK 3011)

Justice M. Chambers Medal of Honor citation

Navy MOH CitationThe President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pleasure in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR to

COLONEL

JUSTICE M. CHAMBERS

MARINE CORPS RESERVE

for service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

For The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Colonel [then Lieutenant Colonel] Justice Marion Chambers (MCSN: 0-4796), United States Marine Corps (Reserve), for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as Commanding Officer of the Third Assault Battalion Landing Team, Twenty-Fifth Marines, FOURTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, from 19 to 22 February 1945. Under a furious barrage of enemy machinegun and small-arms fire from the commanding cliffs on the right, Colonel Chamberslanded immediately after the initial assault waves of his battalion on D-day to find the momentum of the assault threatened by heavy casualties from withering Japanese artillery, mortar rocket, machinegun, and rifle fire. Exposed to relentless hostile fire, he coolly reorganized his battle-weary men, inspiring them to heroic efforts by his own valor and leading them in an attack on the critical, impregnable high ground from which the enemy was pouring an increasing volume of fire directly onto troops ashore as well as amphibious craft in succeeding waves. Constantly in the front lines encouraging his men to push forward against the enemy’s savage resistance, Colonel Chambers led the eight-hour battle to carry the flanking ridge top and reduce the enemy’s fields of aimed fire, thus protecting the vital foothold gained. In constant defiance of hostile fire while reconnoitering the entire regimental combat team zone of action, he maintained contact with adjacent units and forwarded vital information to the regimental commander. His zealous fighting spirit undiminished despite terrific casualties and the loss of most of his key officers, he again reorganized his troops for renewed attack against the enemy’s main line of resistance and was directing the fire of the rocket platoon when he fell, critically wounded. Evacuated under heavy Japanese fire, Colonel Chambers, by forceful leadership, courage, and fortitude in the face of staggering odds, was directly instrumental in insuring the success of subsequent operations of the 5th Amphibious Corps on Iwo Jima, thereby sustaining and enhancing the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.

Justice Marion Chambers   Born: 2 Feb 1908, Huntington, W. Va.   Retired from USMCR on 1 Jan. 1946   Departed: 29 July 1982   Also served in the First Marine Raider Batallion