US Marines Battle of Tarawa

The Battle of Tarawa was a battle in the Pacific Theatre of World War II, largely fought from November 20 to November 23, 1943. It was the second time the United States was on the offensive (the Battle of Guadalcanal had been the first), and the first offensive in the critical central Pacific region.

It was also the first time in the war that the United States faced serious Japanese opposition to a U.S. amphibious landing. Previous landings met little or no initial resistance. The 4,500 Japanese defenders were well-supplied and well-prepared, and they fought almost to the last man, exacting a heavy toll on the American Marines. Medals of Honor were awarded to 1stLt. Alexander Bonnyman, SSgt. William J. Bordelon, 1stLt. William D. Hawkins, and Col. David M. Shoup.

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[ozna12]

I know it has nothing to do with Pacific front, but neverthless: my grandfather fought in WW II to. He was forcibly mobilized by the Germans (he was baker, they just came into bakery and took him with them) and later he fought under Rommel's command in North Africa. When the Germans retrated from Africa, all non - german soldier from his unit were leaved on one small island. There they had almost starved to death but were rescued by British.

[TellTheMarines]

Very interesting, never read this in any of the history books.

Do you happen to know the name of the island?

[callieandkelsie]

my grandad was the cheif petty officer on the uss maryland at the time.. never met him

[TellTheMarines]

Semper Fi to your Grandfather and to the Crew of USS Maryland.

We really needed her guns in this battle.

Your grandfather and all her crew saved a lot of Marines on Tarawa.

Keep Attacking!!

Semper Fi!

[blanton69]

My Father was one of the first on this bloody rock.

My father is my hero.

[MavericKLongRange]

76 hours? That's the Marines, all right. Great video.

[biwlyb]

Please read Robert Sherrod.s book TARAWA A  Story Of A Battle very hard to find but your library will search other library's in the US I am in AZ and they had it sent in from Texas

[dyad2r1]

My late uncle served with the 2nd Marines, was blinded at the Battle of Tarawa, came home, met my maternal aunt and they raised six children. I attended their wedding as a child and was astonished to see him with a seeing eye dog - in church! He was a proud man and very self-sufficient. The dog was the only thing he accepted from the US government. This wonderful man taught me how to fish and ride a horse. I miss him dearly.

[Toddinfantry]

@TheRapper10000 Yes it does. Odd how the color chosen for the landing beaches was red, while green and black weren't used as assault beaches.

[TheRapper10000]

Red beach on this battle really lives up to it's name.

[Sn1perManSS14]

ive just read the book One Square Mile of Hell.i can not imagine what those marines went through but they r true heroes!!!is this the footage filmed by Norman T Hatch??

[eastonsteve]

My Dad was on the initial invasion of Tarawa also known as the island of Betio. You can watch him talk about it on You Tube: James Waterworth Remembers WWII...Part one and part two. You'll never think about war the same after listening to him talk about it. No glory..all blood, guts and luck... lot's of luck. After Saipan there were only two of the original Marines left walking out of Dad's company of 180 men.

[fobgurly]

I have The Battle of Tarawa as a history project. Anyone know some good online sources, besides Wikipedia?

[wbthatch]

@blanton69 my father was also there and wounded in action