History Of The Marine Corps

Guadalcanal was a campaign defined by endurance. By November, the tide had shifted in favor of the Americans, but victory was far from certain. The plan was to encircle and eliminate the remaining Japanese forces, a strategy that seemed straightforward on paper but proved far more challenging to execute. This episode covers the final push to trap the enemy—coordinated attacks from the 7th Marines, the 164th Infantry, and Carlson’s Raiders. As the Marines fought through the jungle, the Japanese slipped through gaps in the lines, turning what could have been a decisive blow into another grueling fight. We’ll also look at the role of naval power in the campaign’s outcome, the challenges of coordinating Army and Marine units, and the growing pains of joint operations in the Pacific. This is the story of the final weeks before Guadalcanal was secured—and the men who paid the price to make it happen. ************* Visit HistoryoftheMarineCorps.com to subscribe to our newsletter, explore episode notes and images, an

By mid-October, the situation on Guadalcanal had reached a breaking point. Malaria swept through the ranks, sidelining hundreds of Marines each week. Combat-weary and outnumbered, they faced relentless Japanese assaults aimed at seizing key river crossings. Holding the Matanikau was critical—not just for defense, but for survival. As both sides scrambled for reinforcements, the battle lines shifted, and the Marines found themselves locked in brutal engagements across the island. This episode covers the mounting challenges they faced, the strategic importance of the Matanikau, and the desperate fight to hold Guadalcanal. ************* Visit HistoryoftheMarineCorps.com to subscribe to our newsletter, explore episode notes and images, and see our references. Follow us on social media for updates and bonus content: Facebook and Twitter (@marinehistory) and Instagram (@historyofthemarines). This episode is sponsored by Audible. Visit AudibleTrial.com/marinehistory for a free audiobook and a 30-day trial.

By late August 1942, the fight for Guadalcanal had become a brutal test of endurance. The Marines had repelled Ichiki’s reckless assault, but the Japanese weren’t finished. Each night, enemy destroyers—nicknamed the “Tokyo Express”—delivered fresh troops, while air raids and naval bombardments pounded Henderson Field. The Marines, low on supplies and outnumbered, held their ground through sheer determination. Meanwhile, the Cactus Air Force fought a relentless battle in the skies, downing enemy planes despite primitive conditions. As Vandegrift reinforced his perimeter, Edson’s Raiders braced for a desperate stand at Bloody Ridge, and Chesty Puller led aggressive patrols against Japanese forces near the Matanikau River. Offshore, the Battle of Cape Esperance shifted the balance at sea. This episode covers the brutal battles, tactical shifts, and raw courage that defined Guadalcanal. ************* Visit HistoryoftheMarineCorps.com to subscribe to our newsletter, explore episode notes and images, and see our re

With the Navy pulling out, the Marines on Guadalcanal were left in a bad situation. General Vandegrift had no choice but to tighten the perimeter around Lunga Point, focusing all defenses on the airfield. Marine engineers struggled to keep the airfield operational, facing daily air raids and supply shortages. We'll close the episode with the Marines bracing for the Battle of the Tenaru, their first large-scale ground fight of the campaign. ************* Visit HistoryoftheMarineCorps.com to subscribe to our newsletter, explore episode notes and images, and see our references. Follow us on social media for updates and bonus content: Facebook and Twitter (@marinehistory) and Instagram (@historyofthemarines). This episode is sponsored by Audible. Visit AudibleTrial.com/marinehistory for a free audiobook and a 30-day trial.

While the previous episode followed the Marines storming Tulagi, this one shifts to Beach Red, where the 1st and 5th Marines landed to secure the island’s key objective: Henderson Field. We'll get into the initial naval and air bombardment, the landing process, and the eerie lack of Japanese resistance at the shoreline. As the Marines pushed inland, they quickly realized Guadalcanal wouldn’t be an easy fight. The terrain was dense, the jungle unforgiving, and while the Japanese weren’t visible at first, they were waiting—ready to strike. ************* Visit HistoryoftheMarineCorps.com to subscribe to our newsletter, explore episode notes and images, and see our references. Follow us on social media for updates and bonus content: Facebook and Twitter (@marinehistory) and Instagram (@historyofthemarines). This episode is sponsored by Audible. Visit AudibleTrial.com/marinehistory for a free audiobook and a 30-day trial.

While the main invasion force stormed Guadalcanal, a smaller but equally critical battle unfolded on Tulagi. As Marines waded through chest-deep surf, they found themselves facing an enemy that would not surrender. Fighting through thick jungle and jagged ridgelines, they encountered machine-gun nests, sniper fire, and relentless counterattacks. The battle for Tulagi would turn the island into a brutal proving ground for the Marines. ************* Visit HistoryoftheMarineCorps.com to subscribe to our newsletter, explore episode notes and images, and see our references. Follow us on social media for updates and bonus content: Facebook and Twitter (@marinehistory) and Instagram (@historyofthemarines). This episode is sponsored by Audible. Visit AudibleTrial.com/marinehistory for a free audiobook and a 30-day trial.

In this episode, we dive into the tense weeks leading up to the invasion of Guadalcanal. Major General Alexander Vandegrift and his Marines prepared for an amphibious assault with little time, limited resources, and almost no intelligence on the enemy’s defenses. From command disputes to botched rehearsals, this episode breaks down the frustrations, miscalculations, and last-minute decisions that set the stage for one of the most grueling battles of World War II. ************* Visit HistoryoftheMarineCorps.com to subscribe to our newsletter, explore episode notes and images, and see our references. Follow us on social media for updates and bonus content: Facebook and Twitter (@marinehistory) and Instagram (@historyofthemarines). This episode is sponsored by Audible. Visit AudibleTrial.com/marinehistory for a free audiobook and a 30-day trial.

Before Marines stormed beaches in the Pacific, they had to prove they were worth keeping around. When steamships made close-quarters ship combat obsolete, the Marine Corps was nearly scrapped. Their old mission vanished overnight. This episode tells the story of how Samoa helped save the Corps. After Pearl Harbor, Samoa looked like Japan’s next logical target. The Marines were sent to hold the island at all costs. Marines fortified beaches, built airfields, trained a Samoan reserve battalion, and turned the island into a launch point for operations across the South Pacific. Samoa never saw major combat, but it proved Marines could build and defend forward bases anywhere in the world. ************* Visit HistoryoftheMarineCorps.com to subscribe to our newsletter, explore episode notes and images, and see our references. Follow us on social media for updates and bonus content: Facebook and Twitter (@marinehistory) and Instagram (@historyofthemarines). This episode is sponsored by Audible. Visit AudibleTrial.com

Most people don’t think of Iceland when they think about Marines in World War II. No battles, no amphibious landings, no dramatic last stands. Just a wind-battered volcanic island, frozen mud, sideways rain, and Marines pulling security in a place where the sun never set—and nothing ever happened. This episode dives into the forgotten deployment that tested morale more than marksmanship. We’ll talk about the midnight sun landings, the endless working parties, and how Marines turned an unglamorous garrison mission into a blueprint for readiness. There were no medals for standing watch on a glacial ridge—but the small-unit leadership, the discipline, and the quiet grit these Marines showed laid the foundation for what came next in the Pacific. ************* Visit HistoryoftheMarineCorps.com to subscribe to our newsletter, explore episode notes and images, and see our references. Follow us on social media for updates and bonus content: Facebook and Twitter (@marinehistory) and Instagram (@historyofthemarines). T

This episode closes out our series on desegregation in the Marine Corps. We pick up after World War II and follow the fight for equality through Korea, Vietnam, and beyond. From Truman’s Executive Order to the violent racial clashes at Camp Lejeune, we cover the battles fought in the field and the ones fought in the barracks, promotion boards, courtrooms, and parade fields. ************* Visit HistoryoftheMarineCorps.com to subscribe to our newsletter, explore episode notes and images, and see our references. Follow us on social media for updates and bonus content: Facebook and Twitter (@marinehistory) and Instagram (@historyofthemarines). This episode is sponsored by Audible. Visit AudibleTrial.com/marinehistory for a free audiobook and a 30-day trial.

This episode covers the evolution of the Montford Point Marines from raw recruits to battle-ready defenders. We follow the 51st Composite Defense Battalion as they reorganize, adapt, and train under tough leadership and tougher conditions.  We’ll look at how these Marines earned their place through grit and professionalism, not just at home but across the Pacific. We’ll also explore the formation and struggles of the 52nd Defense Battalion, the Third Battle of Guam, and acts of heroism that never made headlines.  ************* Visit HistoryoftheMarineCorps.com to subscribe to our newsletter, explore episode notes and images, and see our references. Follow us on social media for updates and bonus content: Facebook and Twitter (@marinehistory) and Instagram (@historyofthemarines). This episode is sponsored by Audible. Visit AudibleTrial.com/marinehistory for a free audiobook and a 30-day trial.

When you trace the path of desegregation in the Marine Corps, you're looking at a journey defined by extraordinary resilience and relentless courage. From John Martin’s pioneering role in the Revolutionary War to the tragic exclusion policies enacted by Congress in 1792, this history mirrors America’s ongoing struggle with race and equality. Today's episode takes us through centuries of barriers and breakthroughs, revealing how prejudice shaped policy, yet never extinguished the courage of those determined to serve.  ************* Visit HistoryoftheMarineCorps.com to subscribe to our newsletter, explore episode notes and images, and see our references. Follow us on social media for updates and bonus content: Facebook and Twitter (@marinehistory) and Instagram (@historyofthemarines). This episode is sponsored by Audible. Visit AudibleTrial.com/marinehistory for a free audiobook and a 30-day trial.

This episode covers Corregidor’s brutal last stand and its bitter aftermath. You’ll hear how Marines and their makeshift allies fought in desperate hand-to-hand combat, machine guns cutting down wave after wave of attackers, and leaders like Major Williams and Captain Castle battling to the very end.  Field musicians firing rifles, runners dying to deliver vital messages, and platoons wiped out to the last man. You'll learn about Marines teaching sailors how to fight, cadets transformed into warriors overnight, and officers rallying exhausted troops under relentless fire. For the 4th Marines, Corregidor was more than a battlefield; it was their crucible. ************* Visit HistoryoftheMarineCorps.com to subscribe to our newsletter, explore episode notes and images, and see our references. Follow us on social media for updates and bonus content: Facebook and Twitter (@marinehistory) and Instagram (@historyofthemarines). This episode is sponsored by Audible. Visit AudibleTrial.com/marinehistory for a fre

This episode tells the story of the rocky island fortress where the 4th Marines made their final stand. After surviving weeks of retreat, jungle fighting, starvation, and disease on Luzon, the Marines fell back to Corregidor alongside sailors, Philippine Army cadets, and general-duty troops. Undermanned and outgunned, they turned this small island into a last line of defense against overwhelming Japanese firepower. We cover how the Marines trained sailors to fight like infantry, repurposed aircraft bombs into improvised mines, and held a fractured defense line with mixed units from over 50 commands. Bombed daily, under constant artillery fire, and surviving on a third of a ration, they dug in, determined to hold. When the Japanese landed, the Marines unleashed everything they had, but it wasn't enough. The island fell—but not quietly.  ************* Visit HistoryoftheMarineCorps.com to subscribe to our newsletter, explore episode notes and images, and see our references. Follow us on social media for upda

In this episode, the 4th Marines move from Olongapo to Corregidor, just as the Japanese close in on Manila. What follows is a scramble to destroy U.S. naval bases, build up beach defenses, and dig in for a siege. We'll break down the geography of Corregidor, the fractured command structure, and the brutal reality of jungle survival. As Japanese air raids intensify and supplies dwindle, Marines rely on improvisation, grit, and foxholes to hold their ground. This is the start of one of the hardest chapters in Marine Corps history—the long, slow fight for the Philippines. ************* Visit HistoryoftheMarineCorps.com to subscribe to our newsletter, explore episode notes and images, and see our references. Follow us on social media for updates and bonus content: Facebook and Twitter (@marinehistory) and Instagram (@historyofthemarines). This episode is sponsored by Audible. Visit AudibleTrial.com/marinehistory for a free audiobook and a 30-day trial.  

Kevin Sadaj served in the Marine Corps from 1989 to 1993 and participated in Operation Restore Hope. In 2011 he cofounded the Marine Somalia Veterans Association, which has over 2000 members. The association serves as a place of fellowship and support for members who served in Somalia and is a repository of the history of their experiences.   Website: https://marinesomaliavetsassociation.home.blog Membership: https://marinesomaliavetsassociation.home.blog/membership Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/USMCSomaliaVetsAssn  

This episode tells the full story of how the Philippines became a battleground—and how Marines found themselves at the center of the storm. From the Treaty of Paris to the first Marine killed in the Philippines, we’ll break down the political missteps, flawed assumptions, and raw courage that defined those early days. Bombs fell, ships burned, and Marines fought back with machine guns, pistols, and pure stubbornness. ************* Visit HistoryoftheMarineCorps.com to subscribe to our newsletter, explore episode notes and images, and see our references. Follow us on social media for updates and bonus content: Facebook and Twitter (@marinehistory) and Instagram (@historyofthemarines). This episode is sponsored by Audible. Visit AudibleTrial.com/marinehistory for a free audiobook and a 30-day trial.

The attack on Pearl Harbor lit the fuse, but Japan’s offensive reached far beyond Hawaii. In this episode, we cover the Marines on Guam, who fought with almost nothing, the defenders on Johnston and Palmyra, who gave the enemy more than they expected, and the crushing defeat in the Philippines that reshaped the war. These early losses hurt, but they also hardened American resolve. For the Marines scattered across the Pacific, this was the start of a long, brutal road to payback. ************* Visit HistoryoftheMarineCorps.com to subscribe to our newsletter, explore episode notes and images, and see our references. Follow us on social media for updates and bonus content: Facebook and Twitter (@marinehistory) and Instagram (@historyofthemarines). This episode is sponsored by Audible. Visit AudibleTrial.com/marinehistory for a free audiobook and a 30-day trial.  

In this episode, we return to Wake Island. After surviving air raids and mounting an incredible defense, the Marines now face Japan’s full invasion force. This is the story of wrecked planes rebuilt by hand, shore batteries lighting up destroyers, and a final, desperate stand around a single operational gun. We’ll also meet the Marines who kept fighting long after they were ordered to stop, and the father who went to war to honor his fallen son.  ************* Visit HistoryoftheMarineCorps.com to subscribe to our newsletter, explore episode notes and images, and see our references. Follow us on social media for updates and bonus content: Facebook and Twitter (@marinehistory) and Instagram (@historyofthemarines). This episode is sponsored by Audible. Visit AudibleTrial.com/marinehistory for a free audiobook and a 30-day trial.

Pearl Harbor wasn't Japan’s only target. In this episode, we cover the first Marine fights of World War II at Midway and Wake. From radar pings at night to shellfire by flashlight, the Marines at Midway were ready when the Japanese came. At Wake, outnumbered and outgunned, Marines and civilian contractors built defenses by hand and refused to give up ground.  ************* Visit HistoryoftheMarineCorps.com to subscribe to our newsletter, explore episode notes and images, and see our references. Follow us on social media for updates and bonus content: Facebook and Twitter (@marinehistory) and Instagram (@historyofthemarines). This episode is sponsored by Audible. Visit AudibleTrial.com/marinehistory for a free audiobook and a 30-day trial.