Merritt A. Edson USMC, Distinguished Marksman

[Charlie Flick]

Today I scrolled through the marvelous thread elsewhere on our site entitled USMC Virtual Personalities Library created by moderator Teufelhunde.ret. In doing so I noticed a couple of excellent images of then-Capt. Merritt Edson that I thought might be of interest here as well. (My thanks and credit to Teufelhunde.ret for making these images available.)

 

As is well known Merritt Edson stands tall in the pantheon of Marine Corps history. A recipient of the Medal of Honor and the Navy Cross (twice!) he is perhaps best known among those outside of the Corps as the leader of Edson's Raiders in the Guadalcanal Campaign.

 

What I had not realized about Edson was that he was also a crack shot. Indeed, he earned the Distinguished Marksmanship badge, no small feat. In Teufelhunde's thread he included the following two images (slightly edited here) taken around 1930 when Edson was a member of the Marine Corps Rifle Team. He competed at the National Matches. He also served as Assistant Team Coach and later Team Captain.

 

Here he is on the range with his Model of 1903 Springfield Rifle. It is probably a safe guess that it is a National Match version of the rifle. That's his range bag at this feet.

 

 

Here he is in a relaxed moment in an image probably taken at the same time as the first. That's an early version of the National Match front sight cover on his Springfield.

 

 

On retirement in 1947 he had attained the rank of Major General. He later became the President of the National Rifle Association. He died in 1955. A tremendous marksman, legendary Marine and a great American.

 

Regards,

Charlie

 

[robinb]

Finally a chance to show off my USMC shooters kit. Most of the .30 cal ammo is head stamped FA 31*. The score book is partially made out and dated 1947.

 

[doyler]

Thats something not seen often.

 

Thanks for Posting Charlie

[SgtMaddoxUSMC]

Here is the Marine Corps Edson Trophy named in his honor for the Eastern Pistol Championship competition. From http://wwmcmillan.info/usmc_Match_1961-Div.html

[Charlie Flick]

Robin:

 

That USMC range bag and contents is marvelous. Just like Captain Edson's. The tools of a superior marksman.

 

Charlie

[collector]

Very cool!!

[kwill]

Pardon my ignorance but what is the purpose of that big gauntlet for the left hand?

[digi-shots]

Shooting glove for hot barrel?

[Charlie Flick]

Kevin:

 

The big glove is a high power rifle shooting glove. It is intended to provide support for the left arm/wrist/hand (for right handed shooters) which can become fatigued and affect accuracy. A stiff glove is thought to provide support and dampen even tiny body motions like a pulse. They were sold by companies such as P.J. O'Hare way back when, but are still sold by modern shooting supply houses for high power and small bore target shooters.

 

See the pic below of US Army Sgt. Lance Dement shooting the M16 rifle using a high power shooting glove.

 

 

Regards,

Charlie