80 years ago this month. Tarawa, November 1943. Japanese RADM Keiji Shibasaki proclaimed, “A million men cannot take Tarawa in 100 years.”
The Second Marine Division did it in four days.
Official caption: “Home is Where You Find It-The fighting qualities of the Marines is well known but their sense of humor is running a good second. Their humor coupled with their adaptability to make the best of an impossible situation is demonstrated by these two Marines on Tarawa who have named their dugout ‘The Lousy Lousy Lounge.'”
From the Julian C. Smith Collection (COLL/202), Marine Corps Archives & Special Collections. OFFICIAL USMC PHOTOGRAPH
Happy 248th, Marines.