A Marooned Mud Marine

May 24, 2008

[HokieMom]

Hi, I'm writing looking for information. A family member's recent obituary contains the reference "honorably served his country in the United States Marine Corps during World War II. He was a Marooned Mud Marine & received a Purple Heart. " None of knows what a 'marooned Mud Marine' was and we're hoping someone here will know. One guess is Guadalcanal.

Thanks so much.

[kellynla]

During WWII, today’s Marine Corps Grunts (Infantry) were called “Mud Marines”

[rlmorel]

That is a good guess. Okinawa had more mud by some accounts, but they weren’t marooned there. I had never heard the term before, and am pretty well read on the subject.

I’ll bet the US Marines can help out in some way.

[HokieMom]

Thanks, that makes sense. Any thoughts on the “marooned” description?

[HokieMom]

Thanks for your input. I like your tag line. We're clingin to God and our guns here in Virginia, too.

[kellynla]

“marooned”

Marine put ashore on a desolate island...

[Gaffer]

There are many stories of mud marines, marooned mud marines....one is from Calson’s Raiders (ala Gung Ho! fame)...... most of them recount adversity and ordeal dealt with by courage and honor. Suffice it to say, if this individual was a WWII Marine, he was every bit a hero.

[HokieMom]

Marine put ashore on a desolate island...

That sounds intentional.

[kellynla]

Marine put ashore on a desolate island...

That sounds intentional

You do understand MANY Marines were put ashore on desolate islands fighting the Japanese during WWII.

[HokieMom]

.one is from Calson’s Raiders (ala Gung Ho! fame)..

Thanks so much! We'll pursue that lead. My brother is currently a Marine in Iraq. Fox News has been embedded with his Marines and filing reports from there. Here's a link to a current news article about their mission: UK minister: Basra is 'transformed city'

[HokieMom]

MANY Marines were put ashore on desolate islands fighting the Japanese during WWII.

Yes, though my knowledge is limited, that's why I'm asking! I think of 'marooned' as an accidental arrival as in a shipwreck. I'm learning there is the intentional meaning, as well. Thanks for your help.

[Argus]

Didn’t the Navy pull its ships from Guadalcanal for awhile at one point in the battle? The Marines on the island were cut off from communications and resupply for that period of time, maybe that’s what “marooned” means here?

[Right Winged American]

There are many stories of mud marines, marooned mud marines....one is from Calson’s Raiders (ala Gung Ho! fame)...... most of them recount adversity and ordeal dealt with by courage and honor. Suffice it to say, if this individual was a WWII Marine, he was every bit a hero.

If I had to guess, I'd bet on Guadalcanal (sp?). 'Bout half-way through the landing the IJN were launching aircraft from Rabul (sp? again) and Adm. Spruance had to pull out or risk losing the last two carriers in the Pacific. Marines never landed the 155's or most of the eng. equipment to build the airstrip, so they used the captured Japanese stuff, including food. The Marine CG, (McIlhenny the Tabasco guy?) always said he thought Spruance was a bit too conservative there...

I think Spruance was proved right when we lost 3 Gun Cruisers in one day shortly thereafter.

He might have been a Raider, as Carlson's 2nd Raiders made that landing, too.

[quadrant]

I may be mistaken, but I thought Adm Fletcher gave the order to withdraw and leave the Marines to their fate.

[Ben Reyes]

http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h1671.html

I do believe the term comes from the so-called ‘island-hopping’ campaign by Adm. Nimitz and Gen. MacArthur.

Here’s a link fyi http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h1671.html

Once an island was subdued, a token number of people are left behind to provide security or establish presence with while the naval/amphibious force moved on (island hop). Naturally, if you were a grunt, you may not see anymore action. This may have given rise to that term. In peacetime, the equivalent term is ‘garrison Marine.’

Glad to be of help.

CWO4 WJG Balderama, USMC (Ret.)

[HokieMom]

Fascinating. Thank you so much. We couldn’t find anything with typical internet searches and there is very helpful information at your links. Thanks again!

[Right Winged American]

I may be mistaken, but I thought Adm Fletcher gave the order to withdraw and leave the Marines to their fate.

I believe you are right; I stand corrected.

[Sauce]

Admiral Frank Jack Fletcher removed his aircraft carrier's after three day's due to Combat losses in aircraft, and to refuel. Seems he did a LOT of that. Admiral Richmond Kelly Turner then had to withdraw his cargo and troop transport ship’. The USS Astoria, Vincennes, Quincy, and the HMAS Canberra were sunk on the night of Aug. 7, 1942. The USS Chicago took a torpedo in the bow. The Japanese were expert's at night battle's. Unlike the U.S. Navy, they trained realisticaly before the war.