United States Marines in World War II

"United States Marines in World War II" is a thoroughly written history of Marines' military campaigns in Europe, Africa and the Pacific during the Second World War. Marines played a central role in the Pacific War, along with the U.S. Army. The battles of Guadalcanal, Bougainville, Tarawa, Guam, Tinian, Cape Gloucester, Saipan, Peleliu, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa saw fierce fighting between Marines and the Imperial Japanese Army. By the end of the war, the Corps expanded from two brigades to six divisions, five air wings and supporting troops, totaling about 485,000 Marines. In addition, 20 defense battalions and a parachute battalion were raised. Nearly 87,000 Marines were casualties during World War II, and 82 were awarded the Medal of Honor.Contents:Origin of the Marine CorpsThe Marine Corps on the Eve of WarMarines Defending American SoilPearl HarborBattle of Wake IslandMarines Campaign in Europe and AfricaEurope and North AfricaDefense of IcelandMarines Campaign in the Pacific RimDefense of the PhilippinesSolomon Islands CampaignGuadalcanal CampaignMarshall Islands CampaignBattle of TarawaBattle of Cape GloucesterBattle of SaipanBattle of GuamBattle of PeleliuBattle of TinianLiberation of the PhilippinesMarines Campaign in JapanBattle of Iwo JimaBattle of OkinawaOccupation of Japan