INTRODUCTION (1-2 pII)

Major Jerome J. C. Beau USMC (retired)

In 1979, 1 began working on a project I had been considering for a number of years, i.e., finding the names of all the Marines I had served with in "B" "K" Company, 3rd Marine Raider Battalion in WWII. U.S. Marine Raider Association headquarters sent a membership roster of all Raiders then on file, but it only had a few names of old warrior friends.

I started requesting the company muster rolls from the National Archives and the Marine Corps Historical Center in Washington, D.C. In a few years I had acquired all the muster rolls covering the life of "B" "K" Company from 20 September, 1942 to 31 January, 1944.

I found it fascinating and began requesting muster rolls of the other companies in the battalion, and eventually of all the Raider battalions, in order to search for names of Raiders not in the Association files.

A muster roll contains much information concerning the Marines of a company; among other items there are notations of Wounded in Action, Killed in Action, Missing in Action, Died of Wounds, and decorations awarded.  This stimulated my curiosity as to the possible number of Raiders found in each of these categories. As the search continued, more names and data on casualties and decorations were found.  I began to feel much of the euphoria that I imagined a prospector would experience on finding gold nuggets.  In a few months this activity had captivated me completely. I then realized that I had found an engrossing avocation - to research and record this significant historical Raider information.

A small number of interested "B" "K" Company Raiders had volunteered to help with the acquisition of muster rolls prior to 1987.   However, to complete the research of all Raider company muster rolls in a reasonable time, more volunteers would be required to help obtain the hundreds of muster rolls from the National Archives and the Marine Corps Historical Center.  By 1991 there were 30 Raiders and two civilian neighbors who had offered their help and resources.  Eventually there would be 44 volunteers.  It became obvious that the "GUNG HO" spirit, among our aged Raider Warriors, was still very much alive.

A Raider roster was finally completed in May, 1994, which lists the name of every Marine and Navy man who served in the U.S. Marine Raiders during WW II.  The U.S. Marine Raider Association is probably the only military association that can boast of such an accomplishment.

The U.S. Marine Raider Award rosters were initially completed in 1984, with the final revision in March, 1996.

The casualty data in the Raider roster and the award information cover the entire time period of WWII from 7 December, 1941 to 14 August 1945.   In other words, it includes awards won by the Raiders after they joined other units, following the breakup of the Raiders.

I wish to express my gratitude to the following Raiders and civilians for their steadfast dedication, willing cooperation, and lengthy involvement in this project.  Without their participation and loyal support the Raider roster and the award rosters would never have been completed.

Dean G. ALLEN, Robert E. BALDWIN, Michael E. BANKS, Jacques E. BERBESQUE, Frank A. CANNISTRACI, Thomas J. CARMODY, Joseph A. D'ALVIA, John DRAGON, John V. EASON, Jesse L. GIVEN, Michael GLEASON, J" "D" GREEN, Alfred GRIMES, Ingersol L. HASTINGS, Enimit D. HAYES, Francis A. HEPBURN, Frank J. GUIDON, John P. HOWE, George HULLY, John E. KELLY, William F. LANDFEAR, John G LASCH, Fred W. MATTER Joseph E. McNAMARA, Charles H. MEACHAM, Edward H. MURPHY, William F. ORRICK, Ted B. PARKER, Brian J .QUIRK, Fred W. RABER, Archie B. RACKERBY, Robert RIFKIN, Rudy G. ROSENQUIST, James SCOTIA, Ralph F. SHAWLEE, James A. STUDABAKER, John P. TEGGE, James F. THOMAS, Edward H. WALKER, Charles E. WALLACE, Edward R. YOUHAS, Martin Q. ZUCKERBROW, and my civilian neighbors, Jerry R. BERGGREN and George H. WILLIAMS .

GENTLEMEN, I salute you! Semper Fidelis

Jerome J. C. Beau

Major, USMC (Ret.)

25 March 1996 (1"Sgt "K' Co, 3rd Rdr Bn, Sep43)

Beau, J. J. C., The U. S. Marine Raiders of WWII: Those Who Served. American Historical Foundation Foreword Beau Item 3, Richmond, Virginia, 1996.