rlkitterman on DeviantArthttps://www.deviantart.com/rlkitterman/art/Marine-Raiders-Makin-Island-Japanese-Flag-674111720rlkitterman

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Marine Raiders Makin Island Japanese Flag

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Description

In August 1942, the Marine Raiders 2nd Battalion sailed to Makin Island aboard the submarines USS Argonaut and USS Nautilus to attack the Imperial Japanese Navy base and distract Japan from the American landings at Guadalcanal and Tulagi.  The Marine Raiders clashed with the Japanese, killing most of the Special Naval Landing Force troops and shooting down two IJN flying boats with a Boys anti-tank rifle and some smaller rifles and machine guns.  Most of the Marine Raiders survived, bringing back news of a successful raid on Makin Island and popularizing Lieutenant Colonel Evans Carlson's catchphrase "gung-ho," but the victory did not last long, as Japan strengthened its defenses on other Pacific Islands.  All nine of the Marines who were captured by the IJN were executed by the local Japanese commander, Admiral Koso Abe, who was in turn executed for war crimes after the surrender of Japan.  Though the Marine Raiders were not able to take any Japanese prisoners on Makin Island, they did capture a Japanese "hinomaru" flag, which they graffitied with the 2nd Battalion's emblem and their names.  The flag and some other artifacts of the Makin Island raid are now on display at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Quantico, Virginia.  
Image size
2254x2218px 1.53 MB
Make
NIKON
Model
COOLPIX S9700
Shutter Speed
10/300 second
Aperture
F/4.2
Focal Length
8 mm
ISO Speed
200
Date Taken
May 9, 2016, 3:06:00 PM
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Comments2
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Midway2009's avatar
These guys were among the best! :salute:
Now we have Marine Raider units in the Marines. :salute: