Sgt Grit Marine Forums

I am looking for any info, stories, etc on the Marine Special Forces teams in WWII. Grandad was one, but I can't get him to talk about it much. He is the last member of his team, and I fear he may be the last living SF Marine from WWII. He took a vow with his buddies to never reveal what they had done.. and we all know a Marine's vow is eternal.

Anyone have links, references, or suggestions? I want to piece together their history, eventually to compile it all in to a book so the history is not lost. 

Please define your terms as regards special forces.  OSS? Raiders? Paras? What?

http://www.usmarineraiders.org/index2.html 

 http://www.janeresture.com/carlson_bio/index.htm

He once said he was in the same outfit as Carlson's Raiders, but not under Carlson. I assume he was a Raider from that.

He has a Pacific map on an old briefcase his buddy made for him. Highlighted is:

Saipan, Tinian, Guam, Iwo Jima, Okinawa, Tarawa

He once said they went in days or even weeks before the main landings on these. I have not identified which exact outfit designation that is.

When he finally goes to guard the pearly Gates, I will do a records request. I will not do so while he is alive in respect for his wishes. 

I believe that before they were disbanded the Raiders had reached the size of a regiment so he could've been in one of the units in the regt.  Carlson's was not the only Raider Bn early.  Two Bns were formed the 1st was under the command of Edson and the 2nd under Carlson.  Tarawa was at a time frame that Raiders probably could have participated although off the top of my shiney head I don't remember reading about them there.  Carlson was a staff officer/observer there as was Edson.  The first three I think were in the time frame after the breakup of the Raider Regt and the use of the Regiment as cadre for the 4th Div .  Oki was late in the game for any sort of special ops Marines as Iwo and Oki were meat grinders to the grunt Divs and the "large" scale special ops were coming to a close.  I'm pretty sure you can get Raide history by googling for it.

Yea, been googling quite a bit, and compiling a list of resources for all marine SF groups in the Pacific War. Everything I find goes on the list, to be reviewed and compiled as best I can in to a history. 

Jim, send me an e-mail and I'll give you the personal e-mail address for the man who keeps all the records for the Raider Battalions.

The contact was very useful, and narrowed my field of search considerably. Thanks! 

You have a good question there, however  I believe the only recognized special forces were the OSS, the Raiders, andthe ParaMarines, of course I was not privvy to any hush hush outfits, which many have said they were with, but when I hear that, I  listen with tongue in cheek . I am not too familiar with the ParaMarines, as I believe they made onejump in Vela La Vela,  and from then on were special ground troops , the Raiders1st was Edson, 2nd Carlson, 3rd Leversedge, they later became the 4 Marines Regt. and were incorporated into the6thMarDiv.However many of the ParaMairnes & Raiders ended up in the 4th & 5 MarDivs. for the Iwo campaign I might be a little in-accurate on some of this so please donthold it against me, I am going from memory and you all  know how that is now. Poppa Gene

A member of my 1st Mar Div Assoc detatchment wears a Marine Paratrooper cover....his name is Robert Day and is an Iwo Survivor..I will ask him about this at the next dinner....

ps Poppa Gene...do you know him ? he was interviewed by Katie Couric (sp) on the today show some years back on an Iwo anniversary.....

Semper Fi,

Mike

Mike: I dont remember him, and the only Robt. Day I could find in the 5thMarDiv. was a Pfc. Robt. E. Day, 26th

Marines, however he could have been with the 3rd or 4th MarDiv. but his rank of pfc. would indicate a boot, but

dont count on that I lost my 3rd stripe at a Capt. Mast. but still got my GCM. Poppa Gene