84th Anniversary of the Marine 9th Defense Battalion

Today, February 1, marks the 84th anniversary of my father's unit, the Marine 9th Defense Battalion, the "Fighting Ninth".  Formed in 1942, the Battalion earned a Presidential Unit Citation for their action on Guadalcanal.  Guadalcanal is considered the turning point in the World War II Pacific Theater as it marked the first major American offensive against Japan, halted Japanese expansion and shifted the strategic initiative to the Allies.  The victory laid the groundwork for subsequent Allied successes in the Pacific and also prevented the Japanese invasion of Australia.  I am immensely proud of my father and his fellow Marines.

Uncommon valor was a common virtue.

Semper Fidelis