FOREWORD (1-2 pI)

Robert A. Burlein,  President, The American Historical Foundation

Over a hundred years ago, a British historian observed that it was up to the small units of the British Army to maintain their own histories-because no one else would do it for them. As a result of this observation, various British regiments did a good job of maintaining their own histories, and many, in fact, started their own regimental museums.

A century later and a continent away, Rudy Rosenquist, Raider Museum Director Emeritus of the U.S. Marine Raider Association and Founder of the US Marine Raider Museum, observed to me, "If we don't preserve our history, no one else will do it for us." I queried him, and he professed no knowledge of the British historian's earlier observation to that effect.

Both men were right.

The history of the big armies-in the case of the US Marine Corps, the big US Marine Divisions are well recorded. This phenomenon is probably universal. Because the big units have more veterans, more of these men wind up working for the "official" histories section of their respective branches, and guess what units get the most attention? Guess what units get the least attention?

Past is prologue. Hence, the US Marine Raiders know that they, themselves, must preserve their history, so future generations of Americans-and especially, US Marines-can know a little more about Marine Corps "Commando" warfare in World War II.

After all, the US Marine Raiders were the first "Commando" type unit formed in the history of the US Marines, and the first US unit of its type formed in World War II. Today, they recognize the importance of preserving their history. Such is the case here.

Major Jerry Beau, USMC (Ret.) Worked on this project for 15 years, with an almost maniacal dedication and a level of enthusiasm that can be described only by the Raider phrase itself, "Gung Ho!" ("Work Together!"). His enthusiasm was contagious; many other Raiders joined in the hunt for their former comrades in arms. If this effort had not been done during the lifetime of these Raiders, it would never have been attempted; likely it would never have been possible otherwise. History can erase itself.

This compilations 201 file, of sorts, of the Raiders-provides the vital statistics of this gallant Corps.

Thanks go to Colonel Martin J. ("Stormy") Sexton for providing the "Overview"; and Raider Photographer Frank Cannistraci supplied many of the photos, as did Jerry Beau and Raider Association Executive Secretary Francis Hepburn.

In transforming this work to final book form as you now see it, thanks go to Dan Calhoun, Valerie D. West, Jenni Lee Wilkins and Carol C. Masterson. A special thanks for extra effort to my son, Wyndham Kayton Buerlein (who will soon be on his way to Quantico to become an Officer of Marines).