A Special Valor

A SPECIAL VALOR: THE U.S. MARINES AND THE PACIFIC WAR RICHARD WHEELER NAVAL INSTITUTE PRESS, 2007 QUALITY SOFTCOVER, $21.95, 466 PAGES, PHOTOGRAPHS, MAPS During World War II, the U.S. Marine Corps' missions went far beyond landing parties, intervention forces, ships detachments, and security at naval yards to encompass the broad spectrum of global warfare. They were still relevant to the original missions, but it was now a much more complex world. These tasks included the defense of remote island bases, fleet amphibious operations, prolonged offensive land campaigns, amphibious reconnaissance, naval base and installation security, close air support, offensive air strikes, aerial reconnaissance and patrols, ship's guards, landing forces, native militia and foreign troops training, foreign advisory missions, embassy guards, logistical support, ceremonial duties, clandestine operations, disarming and repatriating surrendered enemy forces, and occupation duty. These operations were conducted in a complex environment alongside the Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Allied forces, and those services' air arms-what Winston S. Churchill described as "triphibious warfare" to characterize warfare waged jointly by sea, air, and land forces. Today's highly evolved joint operations concepts utilized so effectively during Operations JUST CAUSE, DESERT SHIELD, DESERT STORM, ENDURING FREEDOM, IRAQI FREEDOM, and dozens of smaller contingency operations trace their roots directly to the joint operations conducted in the Pacific during World War II. The American "island-hopping" campaign in the Pacific was fundamental to the defeat of Japan in September, 1945. The battles at Guadalcanal in August, 1942; the battles at Tarawa in November, 1943; the Marianas Islands in June, 1944; Peleliu in September, 1944; Iwo Jima and the flag raising on Mount Suribachi in February, 1945; and Okinawa in April, 1945, were all characterised by savage fighting and heavy casualties. Japanese garrisons often fought to the death and kamikaze air attacks posed a grave threat to the supporting U.S. forces. By the end of World War II, the Marine Corps had grown dramatically to include six divisions, five air wings, and supporting troops. From a peak strength of 485,113 personnel, the Marines sustained nearly 87,000 casualties. A total of 82 Marines were awarded the Medal of Honor, our highest military award for bravery. For this vivid, foxhole view of the Marines' war in the Pacific, author Richard Wheeler draws extensively on frontline eyewitness accounts and backs up the stories with official U.S. action reports and captured Japanese materials. Wheeler's A SPECIAL VALOR: THE U.S. MARINES AND THE PACIFIC WAR is well written and informative and should be in the library of every student of military history. Lt. Colonel Robert A. Lynn, Florida Guard Orlando, Florida

One of the most thorough books on the U.S. Marine Corps' campaigns in the Pacific theatre of World War 2, I must say that this book covers more material than most on the subject. As a Marine Corps veteran, I am impressed. The Marine Corps already had a reputation of ferocity in battle prior to World War 2. Their part in the second World War amplified that standing by prevailing in the most brutal battles of that conflict. The U.S.M.C. has traditionally accomplished more with less, improvised creatively when resources were scarce, and pioneered numerous innovations in tactics, technology, and training. Most importantly, the Marines win battles in the face of the most savage enemy resistance, and the least favorable of battlefield conditions. They take the fight to the enemy, they win by being more aggressive. Yet, they are often the least recognized branch of the armed forces in the public eye. It is sad to say, that in our present frivolous time, too many people recognize the overly-hyped personas of popular entertainment, as if they are in any way more important than the average citizen. Yet many have forgotten the names of REAL AMERICANS who went into harm's way to ensure our national survival. This book is about some of those REAL AMERICANS.

For a long time I've felt that this book should be required reading for every American high school student. The book details the campaigns of the U.S. Marines in the Pacific war. It neither villifies the Japanese nor glorifies the Marines. The author merely presents the events in a relatively objective manner but in such a compelling way that if it doesn't grip your heart and bring tears to your eyes at times, then you're just not human. Wheeler presents the events of the campaigns. He shows both the mistakes and the heroism. He presents the facts as they affected the man in the trenches, not as they appeared to the generals and the admirals. This book is very inspiring. The men he talks about were real people: rich men, working men, poor men. They were all men who had nothing to gain and everything to lose. Some came back home, and some didn't. It challenged me personally but I can't quite explain it without sounding trite. You just have to read the book. Every American should read this book.

This book reports the Pacific campaigns of the United States Marine Corps during World War II. The narrative kept my attention throughout and I found it hard to put this book down. It is one of the best accounts I have read about the USMC in WWII. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in an overview which portrays the Marines' sacrifices during their brutal island hopping strategy which was instrumental in America's ultimate victory over Japan ending WWII.