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Leaving Mac Behind: The Lost Marines of Guadalcanal
“My first telegram came Sep. 3 1942 that my son was missing in action. And the next telegram came Aug. 18 1943 that he was Declared Dead. Till this day I do not know what happened to him.” Mrs. Ann M. Lyons, August 7, 1957.
Between 1942 and 1944, nearly four hundred Marines virtually vanished in the jungles, seas, and skies of Guadalcanal. They were the victims of enemy ambushes and friendly fire, hard fighting and poor planning, their deaths witnessed by dozens or not at all. They were buried in field graves, in cemeteries as unknowns, or left where they fell. They were classified as “missing,” as “not recovered,” as “presumed dead.” And in the years that followed, their families wondered at their fates and how an administrative decision could close the book on sons, brothers, and husbands without healing the wounds left by their absence.
‘Leaving Mac Behind’ reconstructs the lives, last moments, and legacies of some of these men. Original records, eyewitness accounts, and recent discoveries shed new light on the lost graves of Guadalcanal’s missing Marines—and the ongoing efforts to bring them home.
Between 1942 and 1944, nearly four hundred Marines virtually vanished in the jungles, seas, and skies of Guadalcanal. They were the victims of enemy ambushes and friendly fire, hard fighting and poor planning, their deaths witnessed by dozens or not at all. They were buried in field graves, in cemeteries as unknowns, or left where they fell. They were classified as “missing,” as “not recovered,” as “presumed dead.” And in the years that followed, their families wondered at their fates and how an administrative decision could close the book on sons, brothers, and husbands without healing the wounds left by their absence.
‘Leaving Mac Behind’ reconstructs the lives, last moments, and legacies of some of these men. Original records, eyewitness accounts, and recent discoveries shed new light on the lost graves of Guadalcanal’s missing Marines—and the ongoing efforts to bring them home.
288 pages, Hardcover
Published October 16, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
April 6, 2023
Great read about the Marines who fought on Guadalcanal through the stories of the casualties they suffered. The story centers around the recovery and identification of battlefield casualties during the campaign and how it evolved. The story is told through different actions fought by the Marines during this time, and one of the best chapters is about the ill-fated Goettge Patrol in the early days of the campaign. The book is a great tribute to these young men who gave their lives and the reader are introduced to many of these youths who gave their all, and everyone deserves to be remembered. Highly recommended!!
September 22, 2019
This is a fantastic book about a subject often not addressed. Not only does Geoff Roecker tell the story of the Marine and Army forces on Guadalcanal with well researched attention to detail and a captivating writing style, he also addresses what happened after the battle. The experiences of the men who fought and died in the Solomon Islands is presented to the reader through an intense narrative that bridges the decades between the present to the past. Beyond simply telling the story of the battle (although he does that very well), Roecker provides a detailed education on the history (doctrinal and practical) of the treatment of human remains (before, during, and after the Second World War) as well as delving into the stories of the the lost Marines who were buried on or near the battlefield - how and where they came to die, where they were interred...and how, or if, they were positively identified so that their families might know what became of their loved ones.
Highly recommend this book to provide a more well-rounded appreciation of the experience of the fighting man and his companions, as well as the experience of those families who lost loved ones, in the Second World War
Highly recommend this book to provide a more well-rounded appreciation of the experience of the fighting man and his companions, as well as the experience of those families who lost loved ones, in the Second World War
November 2, 2019
"It should be noted that there is a difference between recovered, identified, and accounted for..."
This book was fascinating. War is typically a time when human life is valued so little, and historians try to imbue things with a reminder of the humanity—that these were people with wives and kids and families. But this goes even further: it's a factual account of war that is EXCLUSIVELY about the humanity of those involved, not the strategy of victory/defeat. In the midst of one of the most undignified episodes of our species, men and women went to incredible lengths to insist on preserving as much dignity as they could for the individuals who were in it, even (especially?) after the fighting was over. During the course of researching and writing it the author actually helped to identify additional soldiers that had been left "unknown" for decades, bringing closure to dozens of families in the process.
This book goes into impressive detail to show much thought and painstaking, unimaginably grisly effort is behind such a simple phrase as “no man left behind.” Completely essential for anyone interested in this period of American history.
This book was fascinating. War is typically a time when human life is valued so little, and historians try to imbue things with a reminder of the humanity—that these were people with wives and kids and families. But this goes even further: it's a factual account of war that is EXCLUSIVELY about the humanity of those involved, not the strategy of victory/defeat. In the midst of one of the most undignified episodes of our species, men and women went to incredible lengths to insist on preserving as much dignity as they could for the individuals who were in it, even (especially?) after the fighting was over. During the course of researching and writing it the author actually helped to identify additional soldiers that had been left "unknown" for decades, bringing closure to dozens of families in the process.
This book goes into impressive detail to show much thought and painstaking, unimaginably grisly effort is behind such a simple phrase as “no man left behind.” Completely essential for anyone interested in this period of American history.
March 2, 2025
My great uncle, PFC Morris E. Canady, was one of the brave marines killed in action in Guadalcanal. His remains were recently recovered, and I decided to do some more research into the history of this often-overlooked part of WWII. This book, although very difficult to stomach, is an excellent resource in learning about this history. I appreciate this author taking the time to keep the memory of these heroes alive.
February 24, 2021
This book hits home for me personally as my Great Uncle Leon McStine is one of the Marines that fought and lost his life in Guadalcanal. After reading the story of the battle that claimed his life and of his fellow Marines in Chapter 5, it gave me a sense of peace for the Uncle I will never know and will never forget. I will forever be grateful to those who served and gave their lives...may they never be forgotten.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews