Marines in World War II Commemorative Series: Condition Red: Marine Defense Battalions in World War II - Pearl Harbor, Wake Island, African-American Defense Battalions, Peleliu, Marianas

Nonfiction, History, Military, World War II
Cover of the book Marines in World War II Commemorative Series: Condition Red: Marine Defense Battalions in World War II - Pearl Harbor, Wake Island, African-American Defense Battalions, Peleliu, Marianas by Progressive Management, Progressive Management
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Progressive Management ISBN: 9781301367542
Publisher: Progressive Management Publication: January 15, 2013
Imprint: Smashwords Edition Language: English
Author: Progressive Management
ISBN: 9781301367542
Publisher: Progressive Management
Publication: January 15, 2013
Imprint: Smashwords Edition
Language: English

Japan, its military leaders confident they could stagger the United States and gain time to seize the oil and other natural resources necessary to dominate the western Pacific, attacked Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941, sinking or badly damaging 18 ships, destroying some 200 aircraft, and killing more than 2,300 American servicemen. Though caught by surprise, Marines of the 1st, 3d, and 4th Defense Battalions standing guard in Hawaii fought back as best they could. Few heavy weapons were yet in place, and ammunition remained stored on shipboard, along with many of the guns. Nevertheless, these units had eight antiaircraft machine guns in action within six minutes after the first bombs exploded at 0755. By 0820, 13 machine guns were manned and ready, and they cut loose when a second wave of Japanese aircraft began its attack a few minutes later. Unfortunately, shells for the 3-inch antiaircraft guns did not reach the hurriedly deployed firing batteries until after the second and final wave of attacking aircraft had completed its deadly work. The Marines responded to the surprise raid with small arms and an eventual total of 25 machine guns, claiming the destruction of three aircraft during the morning's fighting.

As the Japanese aircraft carriers withdrew after the raid on Pearl Harbor, a pair of enemy destroyers began shelling Midway Island shortly before midnight on 7 December to neutralize the aircraft based there. A salvo directed against Midway's Sand Island struck the power plant, which served as the command post of the 6th Defense Battalion, grievously wounding First Lieutenant George H. Cannon. He remained at his post until the other Marines wounded by the same shell could be cared for and his communications specialist, Corporal Harold Hazelwood, had put the battalion switchboard back into action. Cannon, who died of his wounds, earned the first Medal of Honor awarded a Marine officer during World War II. Hazelwood received a Navy Cross.

For decades before Japan gambled its future on a war with the United States, the Marine Corps developed the doctrine, equipment, and organization needed for just such a conflict. Although the Army provided troops for the defense of the Philippines, the westernmost American possession in the Pacific, the Marine Corps faced two formidable challenges: placing garrisons on any of the smaller possessions that the Navy might use as bases at the onset of war; and seizing and defending the additional naval bases that would enable the United States to project its power to the very shores of Japan's Home Islands. A succession of Orange war plans — Orange stood for Japan in a series of color-coded planning documents — provided the strategy for the amphibious offensive required to defeat Japan and the defensive measures to protect the bases upon which the American campaign would depend.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Japan, its military leaders confident they could stagger the United States and gain time to seize the oil and other natural resources necessary to dominate the western Pacific, attacked Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941, sinking or badly damaging 18 ships, destroying some 200 aircraft, and killing more than 2,300 American servicemen. Though caught by surprise, Marines of the 1st, 3d, and 4th Defense Battalions standing guard in Hawaii fought back as best they could. Few heavy weapons were yet in place, and ammunition remained stored on shipboard, along with many of the guns. Nevertheless, these units had eight antiaircraft machine guns in action within six minutes after the first bombs exploded at 0755. By 0820, 13 machine guns were manned and ready, and they cut loose when a second wave of Japanese aircraft began its attack a few minutes later. Unfortunately, shells for the 3-inch antiaircraft guns did not reach the hurriedly deployed firing batteries until after the second and final wave of attacking aircraft had completed its deadly work. The Marines responded to the surprise raid with small arms and an eventual total of 25 machine guns, claiming the destruction of three aircraft during the morning's fighting.

As the Japanese aircraft carriers withdrew after the raid on Pearl Harbor, a pair of enemy destroyers began shelling Midway Island shortly before midnight on 7 December to neutralize the aircraft based there. A salvo directed against Midway's Sand Island struck the power plant, which served as the command post of the 6th Defense Battalion, grievously wounding First Lieutenant George H. Cannon. He remained at his post until the other Marines wounded by the same shell could be cared for and his communications specialist, Corporal Harold Hazelwood, had put the battalion switchboard back into action. Cannon, who died of his wounds, earned the first Medal of Honor awarded a Marine officer during World War II. Hazelwood received a Navy Cross.

For decades before Japan gambled its future on a war with the United States, the Marine Corps developed the doctrine, equipment, and organization needed for just such a conflict. Although the Army provided troops for the defense of the Philippines, the westernmost American possession in the Pacific, the Marine Corps faced two formidable challenges: placing garrisons on any of the smaller possessions that the Navy might use as bases at the onset of war; and seizing and defending the additional naval bases that would enable the United States to project its power to the very shores of Japan's Home Islands. A succession of Orange war plans — Orange stood for Japan in a series of color-coded planning documents — provided the strategy for the amphibious offensive required to defeat Japan and the defensive measures to protect the bases upon which the American campaign would depend.

More books from Progressive Management

Cover of the book Hammer Down: The Battle for the Watapur Valley, 2011 - War in Afghanistan Vanguard of Valor Series, Fight Against Taliban and al-Qaeda, Task Force Cacti by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Countering the al-Shabaab Insurgency in Somalia: Lessons for U.S. Special Operations Forces - Mogadishu, Somali Terrorism, al-Qaeda, Relations with Ethiopia and Kenya by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Peru in Perspective: Orientation Guide and Quechua Cultural Orientation: Geography, History, Economy, Security, Lima, Arequipa, Trujillo, Pizarro's Conquest, Fujimori, Selva, Mochica, Chimu, Incas by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Whispers of Warriors: Essays on the New Joint Era - Essays on Military Leadership, Education, Combined Operations, Intelligence Support, Importance of History, Lessons from Desert One to the Balkans by Progressive Management
Cover of the book National Defense Intelligence College Paper: Critical Thinking and Intelligence Analysis - Sherman Kent, NSA, JFK, Cuban Missile Crisis, Inductive, Deductive, Abductive Reasoning by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Destination Moon: A History of the Lunar Orbiter Program - NASA Apollo Moon Landing Preparations, Boeing and Kodak Photo System, Problems with the Spacecraft, Great Lunar Exploration Achievements by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Nuclear Weapons Security: Nuclear Counterterrorism, Nuclear Explosives Control, Safety Program, Personnel Reliability Program, Prevention of Deliberate Unauthorized Use, DOD Response to IND Incidents by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Airpower versus Terrorism: Three Case Studies - Operation El Dorado Canyon: Airpower versus Libyan-Sponsored Terrorism, Operation Infinite Reach: The 1998 Embassy Bombing, Second Palestinian Intifada by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Development of the Russian Far East (RFE): Challenges Facing Russia's Pivot to Asia - Free Land Relocation Initiative, Harsh Climate and History, Out-Migration and the Trans-Siberian Railroad by Progressive Management
Cover of the book 21st Century Adult Cancer Sourcebook: Adrenocortical Carcinoma, Cancer of the Adrenal Cortex - Clinical Data for Patients, Families, and Physicians by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Gangs and Crime in America: Central America and Mexico Gang Assessment, Cost of Violence, Profiles of El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and Nicaragua, Risk Factors, Historical Context by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Office of Naval Research Naval Science & Technology (S&T) Strategic Plan: Tomorrow's Technologies for Our Warfighters Across All Domains - Military Research, Unmanned Systems, Expeditionary Warfare by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Project 1704: U.S. Army War College Analysis of Russian Strategy in Eastern Europe, Appropriate U.S. Response, and Implications for U.S. Landpower - Putin's Rise to Power, Military, Ukraine Crisis by Progressive Management
Cover of the book 2011 Essential Guide to Hurricane Survival, Safety, and Preparedness: Practical Emergency Plans and Protective Measures, Plus Complete Information on Hurricanes and Tropical Storms by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Gangs and Crime in America: Gangs in Central America - Legacies of War and Authoritarian Rule, Poverty, Lack of Education and Employment, Societal Stigmas, Unaccompanied Alien Children (UAC), MS-13 by Progressive Management
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy