Thread: Guadalcanal

This World War II battle was unique in many ways. The U.S. victory meant that Japan experienced its first setback in the Pacific islands. Also for the first time during the war, America was on the offensive. The ferocious 6-month battle for control of this tiny island 1,000 miles off the coast of Australia was fought on land, on sea, and in the air. Although many bitter battles were still to be fought before the end of the war in August 1945, the battle of Guadalcanal opened the way for U.S. victory in the South Pacific.

U.S. Marines resting in the field on Guadalcanal, 1942

Yes, Guadalcanal was the turning point in the Pacific theater. Six months of ferocious fighting largely lost in history, I wonder why Iwo Jima was more romanticized...

A couple of movies spring to mind, Guadalcanal Diary (1943) - perhaps memorable only for this quote:

I don’t mind the one with my name on it. It’s the one addressed “To whom it may concern” I don’t like.

Also, The Thin Red Line - `excellent in my book.

Seen the Thin Red Line, thought it a decent film, and this is the first time i have heard this quote, it tickled the ribs so to speak. Good point about how Iwo Jima 10cents, why?

Yep, the thin red line was a fine war movie. Iwo Jima? That image of marines hoisting the US flag is inspiring, plus that quote from a marine who said that he wasn't fighting for flag or country but for his friends or something to that effect.

It's just that I've come across more material on it than Gudalcanal, which I believed was the more decisive battle.

My father was in Japan, and he used to talk about both Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima. I've always been under the impression he was in both places. Since he would only say so much, and since I was young when he died, so I'm kind of confused.

I know - for sure - he was U.S. Army, infantry. Do you know if he could have been to both places?

Yes possibly. The US Army took over the fighting in the last phase of the fighting to take Guadalcanal. Not so sure about Iwo Jima. This was mainly a US Marine operation I think.