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 With the 2d Marine Division in Desert Shield and Desert Storm: U.S. Marines in the Persian Gulf, 1990-1991 - Gulf War, Iraq, Kuwait, Intelligence, Movements and Training, Operations Plan, Offensive by Progressive Management
Cover of the book 21st Century Essential References: Beverage Alcohol Manual (BAM) for Wine, Distilled Spirits, Malt Beverages, Beer, Practical Guide to Label Regulations, Ingredients, Treasury Department ATF by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Apollo and America's Moon Landing Program: Apollo Terminology - Comprehensive Dictionary of Aerospace Terms and Acronyms by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Wildland Fire in Ecosystems: Effects of Fire on Air (Rainbow Series) - Smoke Management, Air Quality, Visibility, Haze, Hazardous Air Pollutants, Emissions from Fires, Atmospheric and Plume Chemistry by Progressive Management
Cover of the book 21st Century U.S. Military Documents: Air Force Incident Management Guidance for Major Accidents and Natural Disasters (Air Force Manual 10-2504 1) - Nuclear Weapons Accident On-Scene by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Velocity: Speed with Direction - The Professional Career of General Jerome F. O'Malley - Controversy about North Vietnam Bombing Authorization and President Nixon, the Lavelle Raids of the Vietnam War by Progressive Management
Cover of the book 21st Century Pocket Guide to Jobs, Resumes, and Practical Career Advice: Interviewing, Applications, Federal Jobs, Job Search Techniques, Cover Letters, References by Progressive Management
Cover of the book 21st Century U.S. Military Documents: Guide to Services Contingency Planning: Mortuary Affairs, Search And Recovery (S&R) - Air Force Handbook 10-247, Volume 4 - Aircraft Crashes by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Ensuring Long-Term U.S. Leadership in Semiconductors: 2017 Report, Influencing China, Improving U.S. Business Climate, Moonshots for Computing, Bioelectronics, Electric Grid, Weather Forecasting by Progressive Management
Cover of the book John A. Lejeune, The Marine Corps' Greatest Strategic Leader: USMC Commandant, Amphibious and Expeditionary Warfare, Military After World War I, Greatest of All Leathernecks, Marine's Marine by Progressive Management
Cover of the book The Eighth Army in Korea: The Value of Intangible Leadership - General Matthew Ridgway; Human Dimension of War, The Character to Lead and the Courage to Lead an Follow, Competence in Action by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Nationalism: The Media, State, and Public in the Senkaku / Diaoyu Dispute - East China Sea Islands, China and Japan, Sino-Japan Relations, Kurils, Nansha, Spratly, Dokdo, Takeshima, Rhetoric, Trends by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Introduction to the United States Air Force: Extensive History of the Aircraft, Missiles, Satellites, Leaders, Heroes, Battles, Fighter Aces of the USAF from World War I to the 21st Century by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Back to Basics: A Study of the Second Lebanon War and Operation CAST LEAD - Israeli IDF Incursions into Lebanon and Gaza 2006 and 2008 Against Hezbollah and Hamas, Tactics, Hard Lessons Learned by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Space Shuttle Columbia STS-107 Tragedy: Columbia Accident Investigation Board (CAIB) Transcripts of Board Public Hearings, In-Flight Rescue Options, Crew Survivability 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