History Of The Marine Corps

By May 1945, Okinawa had become a war of exhaustion. The island’s southern ridges, scarred by months of bombardment, hid Japan’s last and strongest defensive line. When the Tenth Army resumed its drive on 11 May, the Marines faced terrain as deadly as any in the Pacific. To the east, the 1st Marine Division attacked into Wana Draw, a maze of ravines and caves leading toward Shuri Castle. A few miles west, the 6th Marine Division struck at Sugar Loaf Hill, a small rise commanding the road to Naha. For seven days, the two divisions clawed forward through mud, rain, and fire. By 18 May, both Wana and Sugar Loaf lay in Marine hands. The victory cracked the Shuri Line and forced the enemy’s retreat. ************* 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). Visit AudibleTrial.com/marinehistory for a free a

This episode begins with the thunder of Easter Sunday, 1945, when Marines and soldiers of the U.S. Tenth Army hit the beaches of Okinawa. After weeks of naval bombardment, they expected hell on the sand. Instead, they found silence. The Japanese had pulled back, choosing to fight from caves and ridges deep inland. That calm didn’t last. Within days, night counterattacks and ambushes tested the Marines’ resolve. The 6th Division clawed through the Motobu Peninsula’s jagged hills while the 1st secured the plains below. Offshore, the fleet endured waves of kamikaze strikes, and the battleship Yamato made its final, suicidal run. By late April, northern Okinawa was in American hands. The Marines had earned their victory ridge by ridge, cave by cave. But as they looked south toward Shuri’s fortified lines, they knew this was only the beginning. The battle for Okinawa, the last and bloodiest campaign of the Pacific, was still waiting. ************* Visit HistoryoftheMarineCorps.com to subscribe to our newsletter, e

By 1945, Okinawa stood as the last barrier before the homeland, vital to both Japanese defense and American invasion plans. The Japanese abandoned beach defenses and instead transformed ridges, caves, and limestone plateaus into layered strongholds, preparing to bleed the invaders inland. The United States assembled the Tenth Army to launch the largest amphibious assault of the Pacific. The episode closes on L-Day, April 1, 1945, as four divisions landed across Hagushi beaches, beginning the climactic battle that would test Okinawa’s terrain, its people, and both armies to the limit. ************* 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). Visit AudibleTrial.com/marinehistory for a free audiobook and a 30-day trial.

The battle’s later weeks were a relentless grind through Iwo Jima’s strongest defenses. Marines battered the “Meat Grinder” of Hill 382, Turkey Knob, and the Amphitheater, where progress was measured in yards and companies were reduced to fragments. Caves, reverse-slope positions, and night counterattacks forced constant, costly use of tank–infantry teams, flamethrowers, and demolitions. This episode will finish up our Iwo Jima series. We’ll close with the sobering numbers, highlight the overlooked contributions of Montford Point Marines, and also examine the extraordinary sacrifice of Navy corpsmen. ************* 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). Visit AudibleTrial.com/marinehistory for a free audiobook and a 30-day trial.

While the photographs from Suribachi raced around the world, the Marines prepared for a new and even more punishing fight. Their next objective was the Motoyama Plateau. Three airfields surrounded by a citadel of pillboxes, bunkers, and caves woven together to bleed the invasion dry. At the heart of this defensive belt lay three features: the heights of Hill 382, the blockhouse of Turkey Knob, and the bowl of the Amphitheater. Together, they formed the Meat Grinder. Entire companies were cut down to platoon strength. Riflemen crawled through volcanic ash under fire from every angle, engineers dragged flamethrowers and satchel charges against concrete walls that refused to break, and corpsmen pulled the wounded out of craters while shells burst overhead. The Meat Grinder epitomized Iwo Jima: a place won not by a single breakthrough, but by relentless endurance, teamwork, and sacrifice. ************* Visit HistoryoftheMarineCorps.com to subscribe to our newsletter, explore episode notes and images, and see our

No picture is more tied to Iwo Jima than the flag raising on Mount Suribachi. On February 23, 1945, Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal captured the moment when six Marines raised the Stars and Stripes over the rocky summit. It has been sculpted in bronze, carved into memory, and etched into the collective image of the Marine Corps. For many, Suribachi is Iwo Jima. The photo was only one moment. The 550-foot volcanic cone at the island’s south tip, towered over the beaches. Japanese mortars, artillery, and machine guns fired from its slopes onto the landing zones of the 5th Marine Division.  Mount Suribachi was the job of the 28th Marines. They fought from the opening landings, driving around its base until the volcano was cut off. For four days, they clawed through dug-in defenses. On February 23, they climbed to the summit. In this episode, we tell Suribachi’s full story: its importance, the defenses hidden inside it, the assault that sealed it off, the climb to the top, and what the flag raising me

On the morning of February 19th, 1945, the invasion of Iwo Jima began. The Marines were coming in force. The 4th and 5th Marine Divisions led the assault, backed by the 3rd in reserve. Offshore, hundreds of ships filled the sea, their decks crowded with men climbing down cargo nets into landing craft and amphibious tractors. This episode takes us into the brutal opening six days of fighting that marked the start of the thirty-six-day campaign. We’ll set aside Mount Suribachi for now and turn instead to the central and northern fronts, where the hardest battle to secure ground was fought. This is the story of those opening days. The confusion on the beaches, the struggle across the airfields, and the steep price paid for every yard. Iwo Jima had become a trial of endurance, and the battle was only starting. ************* 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 an

By early 1945, the Pacific war had reached a turning point. The United States held the Marianas. From there, B-29 bombers struck directly at Japan, but the road to Tokyo was still dangerous.  Halfway along that road lay Iwo Jima, a tiny volcanic island of black sand, jagged rock, and sulfur fumes. On the map it looked insignificant, but its location gave it enormous weight. For Japan, it was part of Tokyo Prefecture itself, “the doorkeeper to the capital.” For America, it was both a threat and an opportunity: a fighter base that could harass bombers, or an emergency airfield that could save them. General Kuribayashi was ordered to turn Iwo Jima into a fortress. Beneath its surface, his men carved miles of tunnels, pillboxes, and gun positions, prepared to fight to the death. This episode tells the story of that buildup. The strategy, the doubts, the Japanese preparations, and the weight that fell on every Marine the night before the landings. ************* Visit HistoryoftheMarineCorps.com to subscribe to our

The Philippines became the centerpiece of General Douglas MacArthur’s promise to return. The Army was to lead, but when setbacks on Leyte bogged down operations, Marine aviation and artillery were rushed in. Within hours after their arrival, they were flying convoy cover, striking Japanese shipping, and dueling enemy aircraft. Despite crude airfields and poor coordination under Fifth Air Force control, Marines flew over 260 missions in their first few weeks. By campaign’s end, Marine air had won Distinguished and Presidential Unit Citations, reshaped close air support doctrine, and proven indispensable. What began as reinforcement became central to victory, cementing Marine aviation’s legacy in modern warfare. ************* 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). Visit AudibleTrial.com/marinehist

The 7th Marines landed on Peleliu under the command of Colonel Herman H. Hanneken. Veterans of Guadalcanal and Cape Gloucester, they now faced a new kind of hell. Their mission was to seize the island’s eastern shore, then pivot south to clear Japanese positions threatening the airfield. Over weeks of unrelenting combat, they fought through blockhouses, mangrove swamps, and the notorious Bloody Nose Ridge, in brutal, close-quarters action. Acts of valor, like PFC Arthur J. Jackson’s Medal of Honor assault, stood against staggering casualties, disease, and exhaustion. The episode follows the 7th Marines from their D-Day landing through the grinding fight inland, their eventual relief, and the debate that still surrounds whether Peleliu was worth the cost. ************* 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 (@historyoft

In this episode, we examine the 5th Marine Regiment’s role in the brutal Battle of Peleliu. As part of the 1st Marine Division, the 5th Marines were tasked with seizing the island’s strategically vital airfield. They advanced across open terrain under withering fire, securing the airfield despite intense Japanese resistance and extreme environmental conditions. By mid-October, after nearly a month of combat, the 5th Marines were physically spent and heavily depleted.  ************* 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). Visit AudibleTrial.com/marinehistory for a free audiobook and a 30-day trial.

In this episode, we explore the brutal experience of the 1st Marine Regiment during the early days of Peleliu. Under relentless enemy fire, Marines fought their way across beaches and through rugged coral ridges against deeply entrenched Japanese defenders. They endured extreme heat, devastating casualties, and severe logistical challenges that tested their limits. In the fierce fighting at Peleliu, Marines showed remarkable bravery, repeatedly risking their lives to protect their fellow brothers. Although the Marines achieved critical early goals, their losses were so heavy that the regiment eventually had to withdraw. Their sacrifices made the critical difference, paving the way for other Marine units to finish the fight, especially the battle for the island’s crucial airfield. ************* 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)

Peleliu was part of the Allies' island-hopping campaign to capture key islands and build forward bases on the path to Japan. Expected to last only a few days, the battle instead turned into one of the Pacific War’s longest and bloodiest fights. The island was strategically critical because of its airfield, needed for Allied operations and protecting General MacArthur’s flank during his return to the Philippines. Japanese defenders, entrenched in sophisticated fortifications including caves, tunnels, and reinforced bunkers, fiercely resisted the Marine landings. The rugged coral terrain and oppressive heat further complicated operations, pushing Marine endurance to the limit. The 1st Marine Division, seasoned from previous campaigns at Guadalcanal and Cape Gloucester, faced intense close-quarter combat. Their resilience, adaptability, and courage under extreme conditions exemplified the brutal realities of island warfare, marking this battle one of the costliest and hardest-fought in Marine Corps history. ****

Last episode, we walked through the intense landing at Tinian and how Marines clawed their way inland. Once they secured crucial positions, they wasted no time driving south, dismantling Japanese defenses one step at a time. Today, we'll conclude our Tinian series by exploring the campaign's dramatic final stages. We'll cover fierce clashes along rugged cliffs, relentless enemy resistance, and logistical adaptations in the face of severe weather. We'll examine critical innovations in artillery coordination, amphibious logistics, and the first use of napalm in combat. Ultimately, the strategic capture of Tinian transformed the island into a pivotal airbase for the devastating B-29 campaign against Japan, including the missions to Hiroshima and Nagasaki. ************* 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 (@historyofthe

In this episode, we explore the strategic battle for Tinian, a crucial turning point in the Pacific War. As Marines launched an ambitious assault, intense artillery and naval bombardments battered Japanese defenses, paving the way for a daring landing on narrow northern beaches. Marines overcame challenging terrain and fierce resistance to secure critical positions such as Mount Lasso and Ushi Point Airfield.  Despite setbacks, including tragic losses from artillery fire, Marine forces advanced steadily inland. With control of vital airfields and fresh reinforcements arriving, the Marines prepared for the final, decisive push against desperate enemy holdouts on the southern cliffs—setting the stage for the dramatic conclusion ahead.  ************* 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). Visit Aud

In early August 1944, the 77th Division prepared to launch a critical attack against Japanese defenses near Mount Santa Rosa. As enemy troops fell back into thick jungle cover, General Bruce carefully arranged his forces for one last, determined push. US troops overcame intense resistance and moved steadily toward crucial objectives. The capture of Mount Santa Rosa marked a turning point in Guam’s liberation. ************* 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). Visit AudibleTrial.com/marinehistory for a free audiobook and a 30-day trial.

After weeks of brutal combat, relentless bombardment, and fierce resistance, the Japanese momentum on Guam finally collapsed. In this episode, we explore how a seemingly unstoppable Japanese counterattack quickly unraveled, leaving scattered, leaderless troops desperately hiding in caves and jungle ravines.  Cooks, clerks, and engineers stepped boldly into the breach. Ahead lay brutal struggles for Orote Peninsula, the strategic town of Sumay, and vital airfields that symbolized Guam's liberation.  ************* 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). Visit AudibleTrial.com/marinehistory for a free audiobook and a 30-day trial.

After weeks of relentless fighting, Saipan fell into American hands. The strategic island of Guam was next, heavily reinforced and waiting. The enemy had fortified every possible landing spot, preparing meticulously for another bloody defense. Delays added frustration, but also time for crucial adjustments. On July 21, 1944, the Marines finally hit Guam’s beaches under a storm of enemy fire, instantly facing familiar brutality: concealed bunkers, merciless artillery, and a stubborn enemy refusing to yield. Saipan’s scars were fresh, and now Guam promised more of the same. Yet Marines fought forward with grim determination, knowing this island was key to turning American bombers loose against mainland Japan.  ************* 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). Visit AudibleTrial.com/marinehist

By early July 1944, the brutal fight for Saipan had narrowed to a violent, grinding finish at the island's northern tip. Japanese troops, trapped and desperate, fought with unyielding fanaticism, determined not to surrender a single inch.  Hidden machine guns, suicide charges, and ruthless ambushes took a devastating toll. Costly errors opened dangerous gaps, quickly exploited by relentless enemy counterattacks. This final, savage showdown would push each Marine and soldier to their breaking point, making Saipan one of the hardest-earned victories, and bloodiest chapters, of the Pacific War. ************* 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). Visit AudibleTrial.com/marinehistory for a free audiobook and a 30-day trial.  

In this episode, American forces on Saipan face intense Japanese resistance as they push northward toward Marpi Point. On July 6, soldiers from the Army’s 27th Infantry Division find themselves trapped in brutal combat near Tanapag and Harakiri Gulch, encountering relentless fire from deeply entrenched enemy positions. As tanks struggle against mines and ambushes, the division's momentum stalls, prompting desperate tactical decisions. Meanwhile, the 4th Marine Division continues advancing steadily eastward, capturing crucial high ground that places further pressure on the Japanese defenders. But as darkness falls, gaps emerge in American lines, leaving troops vulnerable to infiltration. With the Japanese preparing for one last, desperate counterattack, the battle for Saipan reaches a critical turning point. ************* 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 a