INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW
(1-4 Introduction & Overview)

The men of the Raiders not only stepped forward to defend their country in war-time military service, but they also volunteered for duty that promised dangerous missions behind enemy lines.They were the first force of this type to be established by the United States in World War II.

Through individual acts of bravery, Raiders earned eight Congressional Medals of Honor, 90 Navy Crosses or Distinguished Service Crosses and numerous Silver Stars, Bronze Stars and Purple Hearts. Their gallant exploits and the sobriquet, "Raiders", will live forever in the hearts of freedom-loving Americans and serve as an inspiration to future generations.

The U. S. Marine Raiders were the first American ground forces to take the offensive to the Japanese and to stem the tide that threatened to engulf the Pacific. The time was February 1942 when the United States was still reeling from the offensive operations of the Japanese in the Pacific Theater.

The Japanese were rolling unchecked throughout the Pacific. Their military forces were winning victory after victory, and the myth of the superior fighting man grew ever greater. It wasn't that no one had stopped them; no one had even slowed them down. American, British, Dutch and French interests all were being pushed out of the Western Pacific.

Marine Raider assault battalions struck fear in the enemy throughout the Southwest Pacific. The landings at Makin Island and Tulagi were small military operations, but they marked the first ground offensives against the Japanese.

The American victory at Guadalcanal, in which Raiders played key roles, inflicted the first ground defeat of significant enemy forces in the war. This victory was one of the major turning points of the war.

Subsequent actions at Russell Islands, New Georgia, and Bougainville carried the offensive momentum into late 1943.

The Raiders, although small in number, played a large role in each of these victories. They bought time for their country, dispelled the myth of Japanese military supremacy, initiated a steamroller offensive in the Pacific, and wrested hard-fought island objectives from a brave and fanatical enemy.

The U.S. Marine Raiders were activated for the same reason as the British Comrnandos, to provide fast, hard-hitting assault units that could inflict surprise strikes by landing from submarines, destroyers, air transport, or regular Navy transports. Lightly equipped amphibious hit-and-run raids, rather than sustained operations, were the intent. Although the Marine Raiders existed just two years as a special U. S. Marine Corps organization, their contributions were tremendously significant when the War in the Pacific is viewed in retrospect.

By 1944, the tenor of the entire war had changed. The greatest naval armada ever conceived became reality. The United States and her Allies were smashing toward Tokyo. The need for Raiders, as such, no longer existed. A true professional rises to any challenge, and as soon as the challenge changes he is prepared to successfully meet that or any other contingency. Thus, the reactivation of the 4th Marine Regiment took place. The new 4th came from the Raiders, and what a magnificent choice it was. The new 4th distinguished itself in the assaults on Guam and Okinawa. It was truly a worthy successor to the old 4th.

The traditions of the U.S. Marine Raiders of World War II, who contributed greatly to victory and to our country's rich military history, live on today through the 'Gung Ho" Reconnaissance Battalions and the Long Range Recon Marines. The Recon motto of "Swift-Silent-Deadly," is an apt description of their forebears, the U.S. Marine Raiders.

Yes, the men of the U.S. Marine Raiders were hand-picked and specially trained to attack under cover of night by rubber boat, surprise the enemy, from a thousand miles away from insertion through submarine patrol behind enemy lines for a month at a time, living off the land using American and enemy rations, attacking and harassing the enemy at will ... bring more highly concentrated fire-power against the enemy than in a standard line rifle unit and blend into the jungles, attack and then disappear as quickly as they hit.

They can proudly say that jungle fighting in the Pacific was, indeed, OUR KIND OF WAR!

© Copyright U.S. Marine Raider Association, Inc. - All rights reserved.
A non-profit 501(c) Organization
Questions or comments? Email Webmaster

Web design and maintenance donated by Texasnova