The Most Hellish Battle that Turned US Marines into an Unstoppable Force

General Alexander Vandegrift, commander of the 1st Marine Division, had been fighting the Japanese at Guadalcanal for over four months under less than desirable conditions: they were surrounded by the enemy around Henderson Airfield, lacked proper food, and ammunition was running dangerously low.

A desperate firefight had just ended around the perimeter, and General Vandegrift observed his Marines with contempt. Their machine gun barrels still running hot, and the wounded still pleading for help, the Marines and the Navy Corpsman quickly rushed to help. Most of the Japanese from the assault wave had perished, but one wounded soldier grasped for help.

One leatherneck and corpsman approached him to provide first aid. As they raised him, General Vandegrift’s eyes were wide open: the wounded Japanese was armed with a hand grenade set to detonate.

He shouted with desperation, but it was futile: it was already too late. Only then did the general realize his men were fighting an enemy who was truly committed to fighting the last man for the eternal glory of the Emperor and the Empire of Japan.

Guadalcanal was hell.


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