U.S. Marine Raiders - Official Web Site

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. The goal of this web site is the establishment of a limited United States Marine Raider search engine, by linking pages to relevant Raider information Online. The history of a small military unit can not be adequately appreciated, unless it is viewed in context of the larger effort of which it is a part. Effort will be made to relate Raider operations to such efforts.

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 intial 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.

Justification for initiation of a web site by the United States Marine Raider Association was made in a proposal to the board of directors of the association in 1997. The proposal below was approved by the board and the site was online by 4 January 2000. Lucy Young owner of Texas Nova an Internet Solution company, the daughter-in-law of Raider James L. Young (3K) has faithfully served as the webmaster of the site and has arranged hosting by 3DX Hosting, all at no charge. Virtually all the points proposed below have occurred. The publication sited have been a generous and accurate source of Raider history. The site is highly recognized and has brought acclaim to the association. I am pleased to serve as chairman of the Raider web site committee and manager of the site.

Ervin Kaplan, MD

A PROPOSAL TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE U. S. MARINE RAIDER ASSOCIATION
From the Raider Patch August 1997

By Ervin Kaplan, MD, 2 EH

Were we to best characterize the attitude of those of us who served as United States Marine Raiders, it would be an overwhelming pride, proud to be Marines, prouder yet to be Marine Raiders; and finally, proud to have served in a legendary unit that was more than able to participate in avenging the treachery that left Pearl Harbor a smoldering wound on the American psyche. As our remaining years dwindle down, we have engaged in controversy to determine how to best preserve the legend of the Marine Raiders in the annals of military history. The answer lies neither in turning off that shining light, when the last man is gone, nor to perpetuate an organization that no longer has relevant members. We want to be remembered.

We want to be a beacon of military excellence and inspiration, to the Marine Corps, to the Nation and to the world. A laudable goal, how do we attain it? Those Raiders with skills in the written word have pioneered the way in: "Our Kind of War," "Bless 'em All", "The U. S. Marine Raiders of WWII: Those Who Served" and "The Marine Raider's Historical Handbook," and many published works by others. Most of these works are in limited edition, not readily available even to skilled researchers. "The Patch" is a treasure trove of Raider history and legend. This information is very well worth preserving, to be available to anyone seeking knowledge of the exploits of the Raiders. John Sweeney has asked that I contact members of the USMRA Board of Directors, to propose the establishment of a Raider web site on the Internet, to contain all of the information we are able or care to post. With proper arrangement and links, it could contain all of the information mentioned above. The cost would be nominal, without making a dent in the Raider treasury. I would suggest that John Sweeney appoint a committee to study this proposal and to submit a detailed report suitable for final action by the Board. With the cooperation of computer literate Raiders and a requested cooperation of the Marine Corps Historical Foundation, thus providing an excellent reference site for obtaining historical information about the Raiders. While such a web site could be established independent of the USMRA, it would be most appropriate for the Association to leave a memorial in the form of firsthand information to posterity. Please be aware that the purpose of the Website is not for the edification of the Raiders, but to be sure that an accurate account of our exploits exists and has easy access.

We have but a few years to accomplish this goal of imparting knowledge and after the last man, the management of the site might well be the responsibility of the Marine Corps Historical Foundation. Provision for sponsoring a research fellowship to keep the Website updated, for example on "The History and Legacy of the United States Marine Corps Raiders" might be an appropriate gift to the Foundation by the USMRA.

Your cooperation in expeditious approval of this proposal would be greatly appreciated.

The cooperation of Committee members: Jerome Beau, John E. Dornan, Frank Guidone, Melvin Heckt, Jon T. Hoffman, George A. MacRae, the late Steve Zentner; USMRA Presidents John B. Sweeney, John J. Freeling and Michael B. Beeler, John McCarthy, Editor of Raider Patch; Members of the USMRA Board of Directors; Executive Director of the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation Susan Hodges; David B. Crist of the Marine Corps Historical Center and many others is acknowledged

All copyrighted information is reproduced with permission.

The United States Marine Raider Association wishes to express its' gratitude to Andrew and Luciana "Lucy" Young. They are contributing their web design skills in honor of Andrew's father, The late James L. Young Jr. of Houston, Texas, who served with the Marine Raiders and the 6th Marine Division. www.texasnova.com

Our further graditude is extended to www.3dxhosting.com for their
free web site hosting.

Ervin Kaplan, M.D.
(Served as an enlisted Marine in the 2nd Marine Raider Battalion)

Chairman of the United States Marine Raider Association, "Committee to Preserve the History, Legend and Legacy of the United States Marine Raiders via the Internet".

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