National Museum of the U.S. Navy

Guadalcanal:  U.S. Marines

In the first American land offensive of World War II, the First Marine Division led by Major General Alexander A. Vandergrift, USMC, landed at Florida, Gavutu, Tanambogo, and Guadalcanal on August 7, 1942.    This section pertains to the U.S. Marines who served during this operation, code-named "Operation Watchtower".     

Image:   80-G-27196:  Marines line up for food on Guadalcanal Island.   Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.