Pointless Horror

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Peleliu, 1944. The island could have been bypassed. 1500-1800 Marines dead, 11,000 Japanese killed with 300 captured. Such casualties were the reason we used the atomic bombs on Japan. All the American forces in WWII deserve honor, but today is the 251st birthday of the United States Marines. To be specific, it's our Pacific. China better listen up.

  • U.S. Marines (1st Marine Division): ~1,252 to 1,336 killed/missing and ~5,200 to 5,450 wounded. The 1st Marine Regiment suffered severe attrition, losing upwards of 70% of its strength.

  • U.S. Army (81st Infantry Division): ~208 to 612 killed (depending on exact sub-island scope) and roughly 1,393 to 2,736 wounded/injured.

  • U.S. Navy: ~195 killed and 504 wounded (excluding wider fleet losses).

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Corporals 'Killer' Miller and yours truly. I'm really proud of having been a part of such a great organization. Semper Fidelis.

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The Price, Tom Lea. He witnessed this on Peleliu.




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