INTRODUCTION TO THE MARINE RAIDER WEB SITE

This history of the United States Marine Raiders has been compiled from the most accurate sources available to us and will be periodically updated and upgraded. No military unit in the history of the United States brought more honor and glory to themselves, more pride to their countrymen, and more grief to their enemies as the four United States Marine Raider Battalions of World War II. It is imperative that their heritage and exploits live long past the surviving Raiders.

We promise that the story of these first combat ready ground troops of World War II, the predecessor of all United States special forces, will both educate and fascinate you, with the astounding tales of their combat against the Japanese enemy. The Marine Raiders made the initial ground offensives against the Japanese in WW II; they participated in turning around the Japanese advance; the only ground unit that participated in every island assault in the Solomon Islands; following which, Raiders as individuals or units were in virtually every Island hopping event in the Pacific War and the first landing in Japan after it's announced surrender.

The Marine Raiders and Navy Corpsmen of WWII earned 7 Medals of Honor, 136 Navy Crosses, 21 Distinguished Service Crosses, 330 Silver Stars, 18 Legions of Merit, 6 Navy & Marine Corps medals, 3 Soldier Medals, 223 Bronze Stars, and 37 Letters of Commendation.

It is to these men, living and dead, that we dedicate this website

HISTORY, LEGEND AND LEGACY OF THE WORLD WAR II
Who Engaged the Japanese in the Following Battles:

Midway Island, Tulagi Island, Makin Island

Guadalcanal: Tasimboko Raid, Edson's Ridge,
First Matanikau River, Second Matanikau River,
Asamana,   Mount Austen,
Russell Islands, Wickham Anchorage (Vangunu)

New Georgia: Segi Point Viru Harbor, Enogai Inlet, Bairoko Harbor

Bougainville: Empress Augusta Bay, Puruata Island, Piva Trail, Koiari Raid

Sponsored by the:
U.S. MARINE RAIDER ASSOCIATION

A National 501(c)3 (non-profit organization) supporting scholarships in the United States and Solomon Islands, the Raider Museum in Quantico, Virginia
and the Raider Room in the Command Museum,
Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California

Awards
	CHOSEN 2003 OUTSTANDING WEB SITE AWARD BY LEATHERNECK.COM