Colonel Edson's introduction to the Pacific theater of operations began with the overseas training of his raider command in American Samoa. On 7 August 1942, the Free World was thrilled by the news that his raiders, together with the 2d Battalion, 5th Marines, had landed on Tulagi, British Solomon Islands. Two days of severe fighting secured this strategic island. This action was followed by raids on Savo Island and at Tasimboko, on Guadalcanal. Colonel Edson was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of a second Navy Cross for his successful conduct of the Tulagi operation.
His crowning glory and the battle for which he will be long rememberd by Marines and a grateful American people was the defense of Lunga Ridge on Guadalcanal on the night of 13-14 September 1942. His Raider Battalion, with two companies of the 1st Parachute Battalion attached, had been sent to a ridge line a short distance south of Henderson Field. Here they were supposed to get a short rest. When the Japanese forces unexpectedly and viciously attacked the position on the first evening, they penetrated the left center of Edson's line of resistance, thus forcing a withdrawal to a reserve position.
Here approximately 800 Marines withstood the repeated assaults of more than 2,500 Japanese on the "Bloody Ridge," as it became known to the world. To the men of the 1st Raider Battalion, however, who sustained 256 casualties, it became "Edson's Ridge," in high honor of the officer who "was all over the place, encouraging, cajoling, and correcting as he continually exposed himself to enemy fire." His nickname, "Red Mike," originating from his red beard worn in Nicaragua days, was also his code name during this battle. From then on Edson was known by all as "Red Mike."
The citation for the Medal of Honor he received for this action read in part as follows:
Facing a formidable Jap attack which had crashed through our front lines, he successfully withdrew his forward units to a reserve line with minimum casualties.
When then the enemy, in a subsequent series of violent assaults engaged our force, Colonel Edson, although continuously exposed to hostile fire throughout the night, personally directed defense of the reserve position against a fanatical foe of greatly superior numbers.
By his astute leadership and gallant devotion to duty, he enabled his men, despite severe losses, to cling tenaciously to their position on the vital ridge, thereby retaining command, not only of the Guadalcanal airfield, but also of the First Division's entire offensive installations in the surrounding area.
A brother officer said of him shortly thereafter that officers and men would willingly follow him anywhere-the only problem was to keep up with him. A combat correspondent testified that "he is not a fierce Marine. In fact he appears almost shy. Yet Colonel Edson is probably among the five finest combat commanders in all the United States armed forces."
It was also said that he was not readily given to a show of emotion. Nevertheless, when his personal runner of several months service was killed at the second battle of the Matanikau River on Guadalcanal, witnesses said he "cried like a baby," and later stated that he man could never be replaced.
In August 1943, he was named Chief of Staff of the 2d Marine Division, which was then preparing for Tarawa. He prepared an estimate of the situation for this operation which proved to be surprisingly accurate and has since become a classic in Marine Corps military literature. For this action he received the Legion of Merit and was promoted to brigadier general. Later, he was appointed Assistant Division Commander of the 2d Division and participated in this capacity in the capture of Saipan and Tinian. The Silver Star was awarded him for these operations.
Edson's or Raider's Ridge is calm after the fighting on the nights of 12-13 and 13-14 September, when it was the scene of a valiant and bloody defense crucial to safeguarding Henderson Field and the Marine perimeter on Guadalcanal. The knobs at left background were Col Edson's final defensive position, while Henderson Field lies beyond the trees in the background.
Edson became Chief of Staff, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific, in October 1944, and for his services during the ensuing year was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of a second Legion of Merit. Duty as Commanding General, Service Command, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific, rounded out 44 months of continuous service in the war zone. When a young officer once asked Edson when he might expect to be rotated back to the United States, Edson replied, "When the war's over; when the job's done."
In December 1945, he was assigned to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations and, in February 1947, to Marine Corps Headquarters. Retirement from active duty came at the age of 50 years, at which time he was promoted to major general.
"Red" Mike interrogating a prisoner on Tarawa.
In addition to the Medal of Honor, two Navy Crosses, a Silver Star and two Legions of Merit, his numerous decorations included the Presidential Unit Citation with two bronze stars; the Mexican Service Medal; World War I Victory Medal with Maltese Cross; Second Nicaraguan Campaign Medal; China Service Medal with bronze star; American Defense Service Medal with bronze star; American Campaign Medal; Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with six bronze stars; the World War II Victory Medal; the Distinguished Service Order (British Empire) and the Nicaraguan Medal of Merit.
General Edson served 44 months in the combat zone, more than any other Marine officer.
Visiting Guadalcanal on 30 September, Adm Chester W. Nimitz, CinCPac, took time to decorate LtCol Evans C. Carlson, CO, 2d Raider Battalion; MajGen Vandegrift, in rear; and, from left, BGen William H. Rupertus, ADC; Col Merritt A. Edson, CO, 5th Marines; LtCol Edwin A. Pollock, CO 2d Battalion, 1st Marines; Maj John L. Smith, CO, VMF-223
In 1946, General Edson returned to the States and was assigned duty on the Staff of the Chief of Naval Operations. His battles hardly over in the Pacific, by late 1946, he was engaged in another type of action on Capitol Hill. The Marine Corps had been threatened with near abolishment, its post war role to be only that of a small police force, and the nation threatened as well with a General Staff and "single service" concept alien to the forthright beliefs of the freedom loving Vermonter that General Edson was. Unable to stand idly by and see his ideals smashed, he spearheaded the Marine Corps counterattack to save not only the Corps for its traditional role as a major instrument of national defense, but also the separate service and Joint Chiefs of Staff concept of both the Navy and Marine Corps. He did this job so well that legislation was enacted insuring the future of the Corps as a well-manned amphibious striking force. To him must go credit for fully acquainting Congress with the precarious position which the Marine Corps was then in. Feeling that he was unable to fully participate in this Congressional battle over "unification" while on active duty, he twice submitted his request for retirement. It was finally accepted, taking effect in August, 1947. In so doing he sacrificed what probably would have been many more years of illustrious service in the Marine Corps.
2dLt Mitchell Paige, third from left, and PltSgt John Basilone, extreme right, received the Medal of Honor at a parade at Camp Balcombe, Australia, on 21 May 1943. MajGen Vandegrift, left, received his medal in a White House ceremony the previous 5 February, while Col Merritt A. Edson was decorated 31 December 1943. Note the 1st Marine Division patches on the right shoulders of each participant.
In 1951, General Edson left his beloved state of Vermont for a second time and was back in Washington, D.C. with one of his old loves, the rifle, as Executive Director of the National Rifle Association. Under his expert guidance and aggressive leadership, the Association greatly increased its membership, its activity and its international participation. The National Rifle and Pistol Matches at Camp Perry, Ohio, took on a new and larger meaning and shooters once more took interest in international meets such as the Olympics.
In 1951 and in 1953 General Edson once more participated in Congressional Hearings on defense matters, again influencing their outcome. An indefatigable worker, he was recalled to active duty during the Korean War as a personal representative of the Commandant, United States Marine Corps, conducting an inspection tour of Marine Forces then in the Far East. He also served on active duty during May, June and July of 1955 as a member of the Presidential Commission formed to study and recommend standards of conduct for American prisoners of war.
General Edson was an active participant in many organizations and clubs, giving many of them the benefit of his experience and abilities. Over the years he formed associations with the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, Army and Navy Union, National Rifle Association, Patrons of Husbandry, Masons, Alpha Tau Omega, First Marine Division Association (past president), Edson's Raiders Association (past President, Honorary President), National Skeet Shooting Association, Army and Navy Club, Columbia Country Club, National Press Club, and the University Club.
"Red Mike" had so won the hearts of those who served with him that the Edson's Raiders Association was formed a few years after World War II. Reunions are held annually at Quantico, Virginia, and even today he is still carried on the roster as Honorary President, his spirit never seeming to leave this band of men fused together by his great leadership.
The General was one of the Marine Corps' most illustrious officers and leaders of all time. He was an outstanding example of those who, unsung, keep the nation's ramparts strong in peace, and who are summoned in time of war to rally our forces and defend our liberty at all costs. As a United States Marine Corps officer, gentlemen and patriot, he considered it a privilege and an honor to so serve. He was a man of vision and resourcefulness. He was a man of extreme loyalty to his high ideals and to his country. He was an example of leadership and accomplishment, of courage, forthrightness, loyalty and fighting spirit to every young Marine with whom he came in contact.
Following his retirement, General Edson's civilian service was equally distinguished. He became the first Commissioner of the Vermont State Police, organizing the force partially from an older organization of motor vehicle officers. He set up an efficient organization on a semi-military basis. This system which has since been adopted by other states.
At the time of his death, in addition to his duties at the Rifle Association, he was the Navy representative on the Defense Advisory Committee on Prisoner of War Problems. This group formulated recommended standards of conduct for American prisoners of war. These were later adopted and promulgated as the Code of Conduct for all American servicemen.
To those who knew him personally, Edson will be best remembered for his keen professionalism, his magnificent personal leadership in battle, and his sympathetic understanding of the soul of a Marine.
Additional Sources: www.scuttlebuttsmallchow.com
www.militaryink.com
www.nps.gov
www.ibiblio.org
www.tarawaontheweb.org
On This Day In History
Birthdates which occurred on December 27:
1555 Johann Arndt German Lutherian theologist
1571 Johann Kepler, Wurttemberg Germany, astronomer (elliptical orbits)
1773 George Cayley, England, found science of aerodynamics
1814 James Henry Carleton Bvt Major General (Union Army), died in 1873
1816 Eliakim Parker Scammon Brig General (Union volunteers), died in 1894
1822 Louis Pasteur (chemist, scientist: developed pasteurization process, rabies vaccination)
1829 James Clay Rice Brig General (Union volunteers), died in 1864
1831 Lucius Fairchild Brig General (Union volunteers), died in 1896
1855 Paul Ehrenreich, German etnologist/mythologist
1879 Sydney Greenstreet (actor: Casablanca, The Maltese Falcon)
1901 Marlene Dietrich (Maria von Losch) singer/actress (Blue Angel)
1906 Oscar Levant Pittsburgh PA, actor (American in Paris, Dance of Life)
1915 William Howell Masters, sex author/physician
1941 John Amos (actor: Good Times, Die Hard 2: Die Harder, Coming to America, Future Cop)
1943 Cokie Roberts, American broadcast journalist
Deaths which occurred on December 27:
0418 Zosimus Greek Pope (417-8), dies
0975 Balderik bishop of Utrecht (918-75), dies
1065 Ferdinand I the Great, king of Castile, dies
1603 Thomas Cartwright English Presbyterian publicist, dies at about 68
1836 Stephen Fuller Austin founder of state of Texas, dies at 43
1858 Alexandre Pierre François Boely composer, dies at 73
1936 Hans von Seeckt German general/advisor of Chiang Kai-shek, dies at 70
1959 Alfonso Reyes Mexican poet/historian/diplomat, dies at 70
1974 Amy Vanderbilt US author (Complete book of etiquette), dies at 66
1974 Raymond Glenn actor (Raisin in the Sun, Carmen Jones), dies at 76
1976 Freddie King (Bluesman) died at age 42.
1978 Houari Boumédiene Algerian President, dies after 40 days in a coma at 53
1979 Hafizullah Amin President of Afghánistán (1979), murdered
1981 Hoagy Carmichael US actor/songwriter (Stardust), dies at 82
1982 John Leonard Swigert Jr astronaut (Apollo 13), dies of cancer at 51
1986 Cliff Burton bass player (Metallica), dies in a bus crash at 24
1991 W Hudson US "strongest man to the world" (540 kg), dies
1997 Dorothy Stroud garden historian, dies at 87
1997 Ewart G Abner Jr president (Motown Records), dies at 74
Reported: MISSING in ACTION
1966 ORTIZ-RIVERA LUIS A.---RIO PIEDRAS PR.
[01/23/68 RELEASED BY PRG]
1967 INNES ROGER B.---CHICAGO IL.
[POSS DEAD]
1967 LEE LEONARD M.---PULASKI VA.
[POSS DEAD]
1967 MARTIN SAMMY A.---BRYAN TX.
1971 RITTER GEORGE L.
1971 TOWNLEY ROY F.
1971 WEISSENBACK EDWARD J.
1972 ANDERSON JOHN W.---PORTLAND OR.
[02/12/73 RELEASED BY DRV INJURED, ALIVE IN 98]
1972 CHIPMANRALPH J.---OREM UT.
[DEAD / QUAN DOI NHAN DAN]
1972 FORRESTER RONALD W.---ODESSA TX.
[POSS DEAD / QUAN DOI NHAN DAN]
1972 JEFCOAT CARL H.---DREW MS.
03/29/73 RELEASED BY DRV, DECEASED 87]
1972 TRIMBLE JACK R. SUMTER SC.
03/29/73 RELEASED BY DRV, ALIVE IN 98]
1972 WARD BRIAN H.---HUNTINGTON BEACH CA.
[03/29/73 RELEASED BY DRV, ALIVE AND WELL 98]
POW / MIA Data & Bios supplied by
the P.O.W. NETWORK. Skidmore, MO. USA.
On this day...
0418 [Etalius] begins his reign as Catholic Pope
0537 St Sofia-church in Constantinople, initiated
1437 Albrecht II von Habsburg becomes king of Bohemia
1503 Battle at Garigliano - Spanish army under G Córdoba beats France
1512 The laws of Burgos give New World natives legal protection against abuse and authorize Negro slavery.
1825 1st public railroad using steam locomotive completed in England
1831 Darwin begins his voyage to South America on board the HMS Beagle
1845 Ether 1st used in childbirth in US, Jefferson GA
1850 Hawaiian Fire Department established
1862 Union General William Rosecrans' army begins moving slowly toward Murfreesboro.
1862 Battle of Chickasaw Bluffs MS (Chickasaw Bayou)
1862 Battle of Elizabethtown KY
1871 World's 1st cat show (Crystal Palace, London)
1887 Start of Sherlock Holmes "The Adventure of The Blue Carbuncle" (BG)
1892 N C Biddle beats Livingston 4-0 in 1st black college football game
1900 Carrie Nation's 1st public smashing of a bar (Hotel Carry Annex Bar, Wichita KS)
1903 "Sweet Adeline", a barbershop quartet favorite, is 1st sung
1915 In Ohio, iron and steel workers go on strike for an eight-hour day and higher wages.
1926 Latkin Square in Bronx named for 1st US Jewish soldier to die in WWI
1927 Stalin's faction wins All-Union Congress in USSR, Trotsky expelled
1927 Jerome Kern/Oscar Hammerstein II's "Show Boat" premieres at the Ziegfeld Theater (New York NY)
1934 Shah of Persia declares Persia now Iran
1937 Mae West performs Adam & Eve skit that gets her banned from NBC radio
1939 1st American skimobiles (North Conway NH)
1939 8.0 Earthquake in Erzincam Turkey, about 50,000 die
1941 Japan bombs Manila even though it was declared an "open city"
1942 1st Japanese women camp (Ambarawa) goes into use
1943 German warship "Scharnhorst" sinks in Barents Sea
1944 General George S. Patton's Third Army, spearheaded by the 4th Armored Division, relieves the surrounded city of Bastogne in Belgium.
1945 International Monetary Fund established - World Bank founded
1947 1st "Howdy Doody Show" (Puppet Playhouse), telecast on NBC
1949 Queen Juliana (Netherlands) grants sovereignty to Indonesia
1959 Baltimore Colts beat New York Giants 31-16 in NFL championship game
1961 Belgium & Congo resume diplomatic relations
1968 Apollo 8 returns to Earth
1968 China People's Republic performs nuclear test at Lop Nor People's Rebublic of China
1970 "Hello, Dolly!" closes at St James Theater NYC after 2,844 performances
1972 New North Korean constitution comes into effect
1972 Belgium recognizes German Democratic Republic
1974 FSLN (Frente Sandinista de Liberación Nacional/Sandinista National Liberation Front) seizes government hostages at a private Managua party
1976 Albania constitution goes into effect
1978 King Juan Carlos ratifies Spain's 1st democratic constitution
1979 "Knots Landing" premieres on CBS-TV
1979 Red Army beats New York Rangers 5-2 at Madison Square Garden
1979 Soviet troops invade Afghánistán, President Hafizullah Amin overthrown
1983 Pope John Paul II pardons man who shot him (Mehmet Ali Agca)
1984 Four Polish officers are tried for the slaying of Reverend Jerzy Popieluszko.
1985 Terrorists kill 20 & wound 110 attacking El Al at Rome & Vienna airports; President Reagan blamed Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Qaddafi
1987 Steve Largent sets all-time NFL record for career catches when he catches his 752nd pass
1988 Bulgaria stops jamming Radio Free Europe after more than 3 decades
1991 Chuck Knox retires as Seattle Seahawk coach
1991 "Carol Burnett Show" last airs on CBS-TV
1992 Harry Connick Jr is caught with 9mm gun in New York's JFK airport
1997 Britain's Windsor Castle was reopened to the public following restoration work. 100 rooms of the palace were damaged in a fire in 1992.
Holidays
Note: Some Holidays are only applicable on a given "day of the week"
Australia, Channel Islands, England, Nauru : Boxing Day
Bhutan : Day of 9 Evils
Indonesia : Independence Day (1949)
Namibia, South Africa : Family Day
US : Kujichagulia-Self Determination Day (2nd Day of Kwanzaa)
Made In America Month
Religious Observances
Eighth Day of Hanukkah
Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Anglican : Feast of St John, apostle/evangelist
Religious History
1774 English founder of Methodism, John Wesley wrote in a letter: 'God...frequently...makes young men and women wiser than the aged, and gives to many, in a very short time, a closer and deeper communion with himself than others attain in a long course of years.'
1784 In Baltimore, at its first General Conference held this side of the Atlantic, Francis Asbury, 39, was ordained the first bishop of the Methodist Church in America.
1899 American Christian temperance leader Carry Nation, 53, raided and wrecked her first saloon in Medicine Lodge, KA. She went on similar rampages in Wichita and Topeka, and in other cities in Iowa and Illinois as well.
1943 The film "The Song of Bernadette" was released by 20th Century Fox. It told the true story of 14_year_old French Catholic peasant girl Bernadette Soubirous, who experienced 18 visions of the Virgin Mary at Lourdes, France in 1858.
1949 In Cincinnati, Ohio, the Evangelical Theological Society was organized. A conservative fellowship of North American theologians and Bible scholars, ETS promotes theological discussion and exploration within the context of a firm belief in the truthfulness of the Bible.
Source: William D. Blake. ALMANAC OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. Minneapolis: Bethany House, 1987.
Thought for the day :
"A gentleman is a man who can play the accordion but doesn't."
Snappy anwers to stupid questions
Q:Where are my socks?
A:Try your drawer.
A:At the store.Here's ten bucks.
Dog Rules, Simplified for Humans
Barking
Because you are a dog, you are expected to bark. So bark -- a lot. Your owners will be very happy to hear you protecting their house. Especially late at night while they are sleeping safely in their beds. There is no more secure feeling for a human than to keep waking up in the middle of the night hearing you protective bark, bark, bark...
Answers To Everything
Why does the bride always wear white?
Because it's good for the dishwasher to match the stove and refrigerator
Things NOT to say to a cop
The bars close in twenty minutes,just write the damn ticket!
