The Marines in World War II

by Michael E. Haskew

2016 will mark the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor that pushed the United States into World War II and sent thousands of US Marines to fight and die on tiny islands half a world away. Today, Iwo Jima, Okinawa, and Tarawa are household names that hold legendary status on the Marines’ roll of honor. But in 1941, the Marine Corps was a small expeditionary force with outdated equipment and an unproven new mission―amphibious assault. Michael E. Haskew's The Marines in World War II charts the rapid development of this famous fighting force from two brigades, totaling fewer than 20,000 servicemen, to two full corps with six divisions, five air wings, 21 battalions and as many as 475,000 Marines. In addition to chronicling the hard fought battles at places like Midway, Guadalcanal and Guam, the book also addresses the important role played by Navajo code talkers during combat, as well as the changes that took place within the Marines during the war, such as the admission of its first black members and the gradual desegregation of the Corps.

Genres: Military Fiction, World War II, History

224 pages, Hardcover

Published December 6, 2016

About the author

Michael E. Haskew is the editor of WWII History Magazine and the former editor of World War II Magazine . He is the author of a number of books, including The Sniper at War and Order of Battle. Haskew is also the editor of The World War II Desk Reference with the Eisenhower Center for American Studies. He lives in Hixson, Tennessee.

Reviews

[Fredrick Danysh]

This is a brief history of how the United States Marine Corps was utilized during World War II including a very slight participation in the European Theater. A cursory history of the development of the Corps from its founding on 10 November 1775 to the pre-war buildup opens the works. There are numerous photos and side bars in this brief work.

[Ken Balamut]

I am sure this book took a lot of research. It is filled with names and number of troops that fought in different battles. Congratulations to the author. However, for people that are not specifically interested in these battles it may be not what they were looking for as far as a reading book.

[Moss Miller]

A well balanced coverage of the major battles, players, and action of the USMC in WWII. Not too in depth to become boring but not too vague to be uninformative. Would definitely recommend to anyone as a first read to get a grasp of USMC action in WWII.

[Johns]

Good overview of the dates, islands, units and leaders who fought in the bloody naval battles of the Pacific in WWII. Plenty of instructive photos and illustrations. My only regret about this book is the marginal quality of the work presented here by its Chinese printer.