Battles Flashcards
Battle of Belleu Wood - June 6th, 1918.
June 6th, 1918.
Marines fought one of their greatest battles in history at Belleu Wood, France during World War I. Marines crushed Germans offensive at Belleu Wood that threatened Paris. To honor the Marines, the French renamed the area, “Wood of the Brigade of Marines.”
German intelligence evaluated the Marines as “Stormtroopers” - highest rating in fighting scales. In reference to Marine ferocity fighting ability, Germans called the “Teufelhunden” or “Devil Dogs” which Marines share pride in.
Battle of Guadalcanal - August 7th, 1942
August 7th, 1942.
1st Marine Division landed on the beaches of Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands and launched the first U.S. land offensive of WW2. First tested new amphibious doctrine, and provided a crucial turning point of the war in the Pacific by providing a base to launch further invasions of Japanese-held islands. Amphibious landings followed on the remaining Solomon Islands; Georgia, Bougainville, and Choiseul.
Battle of Tarawa - November 20th, 1943
The Gilbert Islands were the first in the line of advance for the offensive in the Central Pacific. The prime objective was the Tarawa Atoll and Betio Islands. Japanese commander stated it would take a million Americans and 100and years to conquer it.
November 20th, 1943. Marines landed and secured the island within 76 hours but paid a heavy price due to an extended reef stopping the landing craft was hundreds of yards from the beaches.
Battle of Mariana Islands - June-July of 1943
Due to need for airfields by Air Force and advanced bases for the Navy, the Mariana were invaded. Landings on the islands of Saipan, Guam, and Tinian accomplished this.
During June and July of 1943, LT. General Holland M. Smith (“Howlin Mad”) led the combined invasion of Marines and Soldiers that totaled over 136,000. Greatest number of troops up to that time to operate in the field under Marine command.
Battle of Okinawa - April 1- June 22, 1945
April 1st, 1945 until June 22nd, 1945. Marines took part in the last and largest battle of the Pacific, involved 287,000 troops. The battle was crucial for securing vital air bases that would be used for the invasion of Japanese mainland.
By end of 82-day campaign, the Japanese suffered 77,000 casualties and the Allies received 65,000 including 14,000 deaths. 23 Medal of Honor were awarded.
Battle of Iwo Jima - February 19th, 1945
February 19th, 1945. Marines landed on Iwo Jima which was the largest and bloodiest all-Marine battle in history, suffering 23,300 casualties. Capturing Iwo Jima greatly increased air support and bombing operations against Japanese islands.
Admiral Chester W. Nimitz said, “Among the Americans who served on Iwo Island, uncommon valor was a common virtue.”
Battle of Chosin Reservoir - November 1950
November 1950.
During the Korean War, Marines pushed into North Korea and were cut off after the Chinese Communist Forces entered the war. Despite facing a 10-Division force sent to annihilate them, Marines defeated 7 enemy divisions in their march from the Chosin Reservoir. The significance of this movement was that the Marines brought out all operable equipment, properly evacuated their wounded and dead, and maintained tactical integrity.
Battle of Hue City - January of 1968
In January of 1968,
Durning the Vietnamese holiday of Tet the Communist forces launched a surprise offensive by infiltrating large numbers of their troops into the major population centers of Hue City in South Vietnam. Near a division-sized unit of North Vietnamese Army (NVA) troops occupied the City and the Citadel. Marines fought in built up area, for the first time since the Korea War, and foregoing the application of heavy arms to minimize civilian casualties.
The city was secured February 25th, 1968.
First Battle of Fallujah - April 4th, 2004
Code name Operation Vigilant Resolve was an unsuccessful attempt, by the U.S. military, to capture the city of Fallujah, Iraq.
April 4th, 2004. 1st Battalion 5th Marine Regiment (1/5) attacked city’s industrial center. 2nd Battalion 1st Marines (2/1) pushed south through the northwestern urban district, they were met with harsh resistance.
By April 10th; 3/4 and 2/2 were committed to the still raging conflict.
Second Battle of Fallujah - November 7th 2004
On November 7th 2004,
2 distinct operations (Operation Al-Fajr and Operation Phantom Fury) took place.
Operation Al-Fajr (Arabic for “The Dawn”)
(PART ONE: Second Battle of Fallujah)
A major success for Iraqi Government and coalition forces. The attack force included 9 U.S. Army and Marine Battalions, 6 Iraqi Battalions, and aviation attacks from all Military Services. The full assault force included some 12,000 Marines, Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Iraqi Security Forces (ISF.)
The keys to successful integration of this joint and coalition force were complimentary war fighting capabilities, single chain of command, advances in technology and unified vision of liberating a city from the oppressive grip of terrorists. The assault and subsequent reconstruction efforts turned Fallujah from an insurgent base of operations into cornerstone of progress in the Al Anbar Province.
Operation Phantom Fury - November 7th, 2004
(PART TWO: Second Battle Fallujah)
Joint U.S., Iraqi, British offensive led by the Marine Corps against Iraqi Insurgency stronghold in the city of Fallujah, which was authorized by the U.S. appointed Iraqi Interim Government. The attack was executed
November 7th, 2004 and employed Regimental Combat Teams (RCTs) 1 and 7 attacking south into the city.
Marines were well supported by Army mechanized Infantry and Cavalry units. This inter-service and fully coordinated air-ground approach overwhelmed insurgents trapped in the city. The urban fighting was fierce and conducted house by house, rooftop to rooftop.
Operation Strike of the Sword - July 2nd 2009
Operation Khanjar was an American led military offensive against the Taliban in Helmand province in Southern Afghanistan. Around 4,000 Marines from 2nd Expeditionary Brigade along 650 Afghan Army soldiers took part in the offensive. Operation began July 2nd 2009, when U.S. and Afghan forces entered Helmand River Valley.
Operation was largest Marine offensive since Fallujah in 2004. Also biggest offensive airlift by Marines since Vietnam War. Units involved were:
1st Battalion 5th Marines
2nd Battalion 8th Marines
2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion
Battle of Marjah
Known as Operation Moshtarak (Dari word for together). February 2010 Marjah was reclaimed, which was an agricultural hub and narco-terrorist safe haven in Helmand River Valley.
With thousands of Afghan National Security Forces, the Marines improved the geo-political landscape of Southwestern Afghanistan.
