Marines mark the 83rd anniversary of the Battle of Guadalcanal in Honiara, Solomon Islands, Aug. 7, 2025. (Anita Ramos/U.S. Marine Corps)
Modern-day Marines paid tribute this month at the site where their predecessors launched the first major U.S. ground offensive against Imperial Japan in World War II.
Members of Marine Rotational Force-Darwin traveled from Australia to the Solomon Islands to mark 83 years since the Battle of Guadalcanal began on Aug. 7, 1942, Capt. Johnny Fischer, a spokesman for the force, said Monday in a message on Signal.
About a dozen Marines took part in a ceremony in the capital, Honiara, and visited historic battle sites, including Red Beach, Iron Bottom Sound and Edson’s Ridge, said Lt. Col. Andrew Williamson, the unit’s executive officer, in the Signal message.
Members of the 1st Marine Division made their initial amphibious landing on Red Beach. Roughly 100 Allied and Japanese ships were sunk in Iron Bottom Sound during the campaign.
“But where we felt the weight of the campaign the most was as we stood atop Edson’s Ridge, also known as Bloody Ridge,” Williamson said.
The Marine Corps Forces Pacific color guard marches during a ceremony marking the 83rd anniversary of the Battle of Guadalcanal in Honiara, Solomon Islands, Aug. 7, 2025. (Anita Ramos/U.S. Marine Corps)
On the ridge, Marines repelled repeated Japanese assaults to retake Henderson Field, an airstrip later redeveloped as Honiara International Airport. Medal of Honor recipient Marine Sgt. John Basilone fought there.
“We felt the heat, oppressive humidity, and thick jungle landscape, and it gave us a whole new appreciation for the toughness, fortitude, and resolve ofdedf the Old Breed as they fought and won on Guadalcanal,” Williamson said.
Photographs provided by the unit show the Marine Corps Forces Pacific color guard, along with veterans, foreign troops, diplomats and local officials, at a sunrise ceremony on Aug. 7 at the Guadalcanal American Memorial overlooking Honiara.
The 2,500-strong rotational force began its six-month deployment to Australia’s Northern Territory in March.
The Battle of Guadalcanal lasted until Feb. 9, 1943, and cost the lives of about 30,000 Japanese and 7,000 U.S. and Allied troops. Two U.S. aircraft carriers, numerous other ships and hundreds of aircraft were also lost before Japanese forces withdrew.
Marines have traveled to the Solomon Islands for anniversary observances each year since at least 2016. Marines from Camp Pendleton, Calif., attended the 2023 ceremony, and Marine Corps Forces Pacific representatives took part in the 80th anniversary in 2022.
The Marines’ victory at Guadalcanal was forged in partnership with the Solomon Islands’ people, said Col. Jason Armas, the rotational force commander, in an Aug. 11 news release.
“May their courage be remembered, and their spirit of unity and resilience live on in our bond of friendship, today and always,” he said.
