I love this idea, it has the full backing of the US Navy!!
Keep in mind, how did the Marines get there?
UNIT CITATIONS and DECORATIONS AWARDED MARINE CORPS RAIDER HEROES DURING WW II.
(2-2 p7-41)
There are 492 Raider company muster rolls, which cover the entire Raider life from 16 February 42 to 3l Januaey 44. On l February 44, the lst Marine Raider Regiment was redesignated the 4th Marines. 'There are 410 company muster rolls of the 4th Marines, Reinforced. These span the WW II period from l February 44 to the post war date of 18 February 46, when the last of the Regimental units of the WW II 4th Marines was deactivated. These muster rolls have also been searched for decorated Raiders.
There are no official consolidated Navy Department listings of decorations awarded Navy personnel during WW lI. The information of decorations awarded Navy personnel serving with the Marine Raiders was obtained from the Marine Raider and 4th Marines muster rolls, and the Raider Association Headquarters files.
The number of decorations awarded Marine Raiders and attached Navy personnel and the total nunber of Decorations awarded to all Marines during WW II are as follows:
| DECORATION | RAIDERS | NAVY | TOTAL USMC |
| Medal of Honor |
7
|
-
|
83
|
| Navy Cross |
125
|
13
|
1026
|
| Army Distinguished Service Cross |
21
|
-
|
32
|
| Silver Star |
316
|
33
|
3952
|
| Legion of Merit |
17
|
1
|
606
|
| Navy & Marine Corps Medal |
6
|
-
|
554
|
| Soldier's Medal |
3
|
-
|
29
|
| Bronze Star |
198
|
18
|
Unknown
|
| Navy Letter of Commendation |
107
|
8
|
Unknown
|
| Army Letter of Commendationon |
29
|
2
|
Unknown
|
| Meritorious Conduct In Action Promotion |
20
|
-
|
Unknown
|
There were 111 U.S. Naval Ships named for Marine Heroes of this total 27 ships were named for WW II Marine Corps RAIDER Heroes. Two ships were also named for Naval Medical Heroes serving with the RAIDERS.
Beau, J. J. C., The U. S. Marine Raiders of WWII: Those Who Served. American Historical Foundation, Richmond, Virginia, page 7, 1996.
Medals of the U. S. Marine Corps