A CHRONOLOGY OF THE MARINE CORPS RAIDERS

FEB '42 - FEB '44

(1-2 p53-55)

16 Feb 42	1st Separate Battalion designated as the 1st Marine Raider Bn., Amphibious  Forces, Atlantic Fleet, Quantico, VA. Battalion composed of HQ, A, B, C, D  and E Companies.
30 Mar 42	HQ, A, B and C Companies entrained at MB, Quantico, VA. Arrived at Marine Corps Base, San Diego, CA., on 6 Apr 42.
12 APR 42	Battalion (less rear echelon) embarked aboard the USS Zeilien (APA-5) sailed, and arrived at the Naval Station, Pago Pago, Tutuila, American Samoa, on 30 APR 42.
21-30 APR 42	Rear echelon, D and E Companies, on amphibious training exercises at Solomon Island, Maryland, aboard the USS Stringham (APD-6), and the USS McKean(APD-5).
7 Jun 42	Rear echelon entrained at MB, Quantico, VA., and arrived at the Marine Corps Base, San Diego, CA., on 13 Jun 42.
18 Jun 42	Rear echelon embarked aboard the USS Heywood (APA-6), sailed, and arrived at Pago Pago Naval Station, Tutuila, American Samoa, on 30 Jun 42, and joined the Battalion.
5 Jul 42	Battalion embarked and sailed from Tutuila, American Samoa, aboard USS Calhoun (APD-2), Gregory (APD-3), Little (APD-4), McKean (APD-5), Heywood (APA-6) and SS Monowia, and arrived at Noumea, New Caledonia. Encamped at the Mission St. Louis, on 11 Jul 42.
23 Jul 42	Battalion embarked at Noumea, New Caledonia, aboard the USS Calhoun (APD-2), Gregory (APD-3), Little (APD-4), Mc Kean (APD-5) and Heywood (APA-6), and sailed.
7 Aug 42	Assault landing on Tulagi Island, British Solomon Islands.
3l Aug 42	Battalion moved from Tulagi Island to Guadalcanal Island, BSI.
4 Sep 42	A and B Companies landed on Savo Island, BSI. Combat patrol.
8 Sep 42	A, B and C Companies conducted a raid on a Japanese supply base at Tasimboko, Guadalcanal, BSI.
12-14 Sep 42	Battle of Edson's ridge (bloody ridge) successful defense of Henderson airfield.
26-28 Sep 42	1st battle of Matanikau River.
8-l0 Oct 42	2nd battle of Matanikau River.
13 Oct 42	Battalion withdrawn from combat zone. Embarked aboard the USS McCauley (APA-4) at Guadalcanal, sailed, and debarked at Noumea, New Caledonia. In camp at Mission St. Louis, Camp Bailey, 17 Oct 42.
24 Nov 42	Embarked aboard the USS McCauley (APA-4) at Nounea, New Caledonia,  sailed, and arrived at Wellington, New Zealand, for rest and rehabilitation, on 29 Nov 42.
6 Jan 43	Embarked at Wellington, NZ, sailed, and arrived, on l0 Jan 45, at Noumea, New Caledonia. At Camp Bailey.
15 Mar 43	1st Marine Raider Regiment organized at Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides Islands Regiment composed of H&S Company, the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Raiders Battalions.
l APR 43	Battalion composed of HQ, A, B, C and D Companies. E Company disbanded.  10-24 APR 43 Battalion aboard the APD's for amphibious training exercises.
l Jun 43	Battalion embarked aboard the USS President Hayes (APA-20), at Noumea, New Caledonia, sailed, and debarked at Tetere Point, Guadalcanal.
4 Jul 43	Battalion embarked, at Tetere Point, Guadalcanal, BSI., aboard the USS Schley (APD-14), Kilty (APD-15), Crosby (APD-17) and the USS McCallan (DD-488).
5 Jul 43	Assault landing at Rice Anchorage, New Georgia, BSI.
7-l0 Jul 43	Battles of Triri and Enogai Inlet, New Georgia, BSI.
20-2l Jul 43	Battle of Bairoko Harbor, New Georgia, BSI.
28 Jul-28 Aug 43	Patrols, mop-up, and occupation.
29 Aug 43	Battalion embarked at Enogai, New Georgia aboard the USS Talbot (APD-7) and the USS Crosby (APD-17), and sailed, disembarked at Tetere, Guadalcanal, BSI., on 30 Aug 43.
4 Sep 43	Embarked aboard the USS Fuller (APA-7), at Tetere, Guadalcanal, sailed, and disembarked at Noumea, New Caledonia, on 8 Sep 43.  At Camp Bailey.
29 Sep 43	1st echelon of Battalion embarked aboard the SS Marmac Port at Noumea, New Caledonia, sailed, and arrived at Auckland, NZ, on 3 Oct 43, for rest and rehabilitation.
20 Oct 43	Embarked aboard the USS Tryon (APH-1) at Auckland, NZ, Sailed, and disembarked at Noumea, New  Caledonia. At Can7 Bailey 22 Oct 43.
18 Oct 43	2nd echelon of Battalion embarked aboard the USS Rixey (APH-3) Noumea, New Caledonia, sailed, and arrived at Auckland, NZ, 21 Oct 43, for rest and rehabilitation.
16 Nov 43	Embarked aboard the AUST. Maui at Auckland, NZ, Sailed, and arrived Noumea, New Caledonia, on 20 Nov 43. At Camp Bailey.
2l Jan 44	Embarked aboard the MS. Bloemfontein- at Noumea, New Caledonia, sailed, and disembarked at Tassafaronga, Guadalcanal, BS!., on 24 Jan 44.
l  Feb 44	1st Raider Battalion designated the 1st Battalion, 4th Marines.

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