Plus you have to admit that when the Gov. said that most of the strengh should go to taking down Nazi Germany, the Pacific front (for the US) was one the best planned fronts compairing the resorces limited they had to take 2-3 million square miles of the the biggest ocean in the world.
But I'll admit that so battles went into disary and the start of the war looked bad, however we used what we had to our best abilty....and won.

Marines also participated in the battle of wake island. Though it isn't one of the five most important battles on your list it is on mine.

IAmOsamaHater - Wake certainly demonstrated the skill and bravery of many Marines, particularly the aviators, but when we consider all of history, there are many others that in the great scheme of things were more important.

Why not post your list for comment?

Edited by author 10-27-2003 12:54 PM
My list is 1.Wake Island 2.Iwo Jima 3.Belleau wood 4.Okinawa 5.Gadalcanal and those are my top five marine fought battles. Semper Fi.

1. Chapaultepec -without it, no USMC 2. Midway -USMC airdales sunk 4 Jap carriers and effectively turned the tide (no pun) of WWII in the Pacific 3. Tarawa -an absolute amphibious disaster. 3. Peleilu - proved amphibious landings could work (at a very high price - introduced the importance of UDT men for tide and sand conditions for future landings. 4. One word "IWO" 5. Okinawa - read some real history books on the price paid...the ultimate justification for HST to drop the A-Bomb Semper Fi, Mac USMA 1965-68 some salad on chest BUT most proud of 2 Purple Hearts - the medal of a Grunt's nightmare!

1. Chapaultepec -without it, no USMC 2. Midway -USMC airdales sunk 4 Jap carriers and effectively turned the tide (no pun) of WWII in the Pacific 3. Tarawa -an absolute amphibious disaster. 3. Peleilu - proved amphibious landings could work (at a very high price - introduced the importance of UDT men for tide and sand conditions for future landings. 4. One word "IWO" 5. Okinawa - read some real history books on the price paid...the ultimate justification for HST to drop the A-Bomb Semper Fi, Mac USMC 1965-68 some salad on chest BUT most proud of 2 Purple Hearts - the medal of a Grunt's nightmare!

Dear Editor - In last line of message 2 I put USMA, instead of USMC, tha't why I re-wrote message - gotta remember I' still a Jarhead and these new fangled computers get a bit confusing...and one more more point of order, if I may...the Marines (and Army,Navy, AF)our kids in Iraq are fighting a tough deal...I'm an old jungle fighter, and I thank my Higher Power I'm here & not there, any battle you're in, is the battle for your LIFE, put any town or island name you want, people are dying every day. Thank you for a great site and wonderful input from those who know the 'real deal'

Cpl. Pointman - having walked point a few times (Vietnam, 1966, 2/4) I appreciate your "handle!"

Cannot agree with your list. Chapaultepec provided lots of publicity, but even without Marines the battle would have been won. Also, the USMC would have survived, but surely the Mexican War helped the Marine cause. Sorry to report that Marine air did not destroy four Japanese carriers at Midway. That Marine air in WWII was critical to success in the Pacific is certainly true, but Navy aircraft won the Battle of Midway. Peleliu proved Marines courageous, but nothing else! That the CG of the 1stMARDIV went no higher is proof enough that Peleliu serves as a testimony to Marine Corps - and Japanese - valor, but little else. Okinawa certainly could be on the list, and your reasons for adding it are valid; but...which of the five on the list would you replace? Tough choices, right! And Iwo is rightfully on the list.

But, good discussion, Pointman, keep reading! And a hearty Semper Fi to you, Mac.

I have to agree with ehistorian on this one. Thanks for your input because, I too am a fan of ehistory.com.
Sempir Fi!

Thanks Cpl."Pointman"JJVarian. I think you are one tough cookie!
Semper Fi! Carry on.

whats semper fi mean anyway? i hear it all the time on the history channel with mail call.

It means Carry on! n It is a marine term.

Edited by author 11-14-2003 08:41 PM
OsamaHater - sorry to have caught you in a mistake. "Semper Fi" is short for the Marine Corps motto, 'Semper Fidelis." In Latin, Semper Fidelis means "always faithful." Unfortuately, we are not teaching Latin much any more. Today many Marines say "ooorahh" (spelling varies) when greeting one another, but in my day (ancient times) Marines would say "Semper Fi" when greeting a fellow Marine, which is why the Gunny on the History Channel says "Semper Fi" a lot.

Thanks for correcting me. My mistake.