U.S. MARINES IN THE PACIFIC THEATER

I can't say that I've watched an episode of Band of Brothers, but I am very excited about tonight's premiere of HBO's The Pacific, which follows three Marines across the Pacific during WWII.

I was stationed in Iwakuni, Japan from 1995-1999 and had the opportunity of visiting Okinawa, Guam and various other locations around the Pacific Theater. It was during this time, I began to absorb a lot of the history that was made during the multitude of campaigns Marines were involved with.

With over fifteen years of active Marine Corps service under my belt as well as being a big fan of 1930's - 1950's vintage, I've developed somewhat of a keen eye with regard to period Marine Corps uniforms and equipment - Naturally, I'll be mindful of wardrobe accuracy.

Here are just a few of my favorite images of this part of the war.

1941

Navajo Code Talker were Native Americans who served in the United States Marine Corps whose primary job was the transmission of secret tactical messages. Code talkers transmitted these messages over military telephone or radio communications nets using formal or informally developed codes built upon their native languages.

First flag on Guam - August 1944

Mount Surabachi prior to its capture

Mount Surabachi Flag Raising - February 23, 1945. It depicts five United States Marines and a U.S. Navy corpsman raising the flag of the United States atop Mount Suribachi.  This photograph ultimately came to be regarded as one of the most significant and recognizable images of the war.

Marine fishing on Iwo Jima

Flame Thrower - The invention of the flamethrower suggests that someone thought, "You know, I'd really like to set those people over there on fire, but I'm just too lazy to walk."

M1 Carbine - 1944

M1 Garand - 1943

Another popular photo amongst Marines "Marine Charges" - Okinawa