Armed Forces - United States - Regimental Histories - General & Miscellaneous, 20th Century American History - World War II, United States - World War II Armed Forces, Kirabati - History
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Overview
They were the celebrated "Gung Ho Battalion" -- 2d Marine Raider commandos led by Lieutenant Colonel Evans Carlson who struck deep behind enemy lines. In August 1942, as a diversion to the invasion of Guadalcanal, the 219 Raiders -- the president's son among them -- traveled two thousand miles by submarine to Makin Atoll. In one of the most daring attacks of World War II, they caused substantial damage to the Japanese, destroying a radio station, burning equipment, and capturing documents that proved to have significant intelligence value -- before making a nightmarishly hazardous withdrawal. To an America badly in need of heroes, Carlson's Raid was the answer to a prayer. But although it was a victory, the raid's long-term consequences were bloodier than anyone could have imagined. And, ultimately, the controversial Carlson's high profile would be his undoing. Now, George W. Smith tells the full story of this Marine maverick's daring mission, its unforeseen consequences, and the decision he made when the fighting was toughest -- a decision kept secret for fifty years -- that would have brought a far different conclusion to the famous Makin Raid.Book Details
Published
June 1, 2003
Publisher
Berkley Publishing Group
Pages
288
Format
Paperback
ISBN
9780425190197