Guadalcanal

This section of the World War II History info guide is devoted to the bloody fight in 1942 for Guadalcanal.

If you would like a brief introduction to the greater context of Guadalcanal, check out "The Tide Turns" in our Brief History of WWII e-text.

Guadalcanal: Features

Heroes of Guadalcanal

Fascinating, inspiring stories and details about American heroes of Guadalcanal who were recognized with the Congressional Medal of Honor.

The Marines on Guadalcanal: Starvation Island

This e-text is based on Chapter Two of Patrick K. O'Donnell's excellent book "Into The Rising Sun: In Their Own Words, World War II's Pacific Veterans Reveal the Heart of Combat." In this chapter, O'Donnell gives Marine Corps veterans from Guadalcanal the chance to tell their stories in their own words. We've converted the original chapter into sub-sections so that it's easy to read online. Click here to start reading or jump to any one of the sub-sections below.

• John Sweeney, 1st Raider Battalion

• Robert Youngdeer of E-Company

• John Sweeney commands B-Company

• Dave Taber at Bloody Ridge

• Ira Gilliand throwing grenades

• John Mielke defends Henderson Field

• Tom Lyons, 1st Parachute Battalion

• "Horse Collar" James Smith

• Frank Guidone and the mortar squad

• Dean Winters, 2nd Raider Battalion

• Ray Bauml on the Long Patrol

Click to Amazon to buy "Into The Rising Sun: In Their Own Words, World War II's Pacific Veterans Reveal the Heart of Combat."