2nd Raider Battalion USMC 1942

[cperkins510]

Hello all,

I am hoping our Marine Raider experts might be able to clarify some details about the history of the aforementioned unit. I have read sources that note A and B companies of the battalion participated in the Makin Raid and C and D companies were sent to garrison Midway during the battle there. What were E and F companies doing before the whole battalion ended up on Guadalcanal later in the year? Were they also involved in either of these battles? Were those companies added later?

[SCD81]

Hello:

 

You are correct only A, B and small parts of HQ were involved in the Makin Raid. Following  Midway & Makin the entire Bn was garrisoned in Pearl Harbor-Camp Catlin. Following this A, B, C, D and F were involved in various operations on Guadalcanal-the Long Patrol. The Long patrol was broken up into various small actions that were independent. The Reko Ambush(A,B & D), Asamana (E, C & D), Lunga River and Mt. Austen (ALL). The entire Bn left Guadalcanal in December of 1942

[SCD81]

Correction for my typo above A, B,C,D, (E) & F

[cperkins510]

Interesting! So does that mean that E and F companies were training or just waiting around at Camp Catlin the whole time before the battalion ended up on Guadalcanal?

 

[SCD81]

Yes they were garrisoned at Camp Catlin awaiting their return. I know they were training but also assigned for defense in a time frame from June of 42 (original embarkation) until they returned in September 42 destined for the New Hebrides. Remember at this time an invasion of Pearl Harbor was still very much possible. I am not aware of any Raiders being assigned to the 2nd in the meantime while those companies were away but it is possible their were some new arrivals.  For example when the 1st BN embarked in San Diego their were some last minute Marines assigned to the 1st.  I grew up around a lot of members of the 2nd Bn but never ask what they were doing in the dead time. I believe the big stories were the Landing at Tulagi, Makin and the battle for Guadalcanal which wasn't looking so great at that time. Let me review my records and possibly I can offer further details if any

[cperkins510]

Thanks for the info. I would appreciate that. Have been researching an original member of the 2nd Raiders who served with E and F companies. A hometown paper said he had 3 campaigns under his belt when home on furlough in early 1944, so I’ve been trying to figure out what that third campaign was or if the newspaper just had the wrong number.

[SCD81]

My guess what they are referring too if they did not include the names of islands were Guadalcanal, Bougainville and Emirau island which was in March of 44. Most of the Raiders, who weren't replacements, rotated home by that point in mid 1944. Most of the 1st Raiders were assigned to the 3rd Marine Division, a few to the 5th and a handful to the 1st. Many 2nd Raiders formed the nucleus of the 5th Marine Division. Some Raiders were destined for training billets or hosptial (wounds or sickness). Drop me the name of the Raider and I will tell you his history. My grandfathers hometown paper was a bit more descriptive and specifically stated Tulagi, Guadalcanal, New Georgia & Emirau when he returned in 44. 

[cperkins510]

Thanks for your help. I sent you a PM.