An opportune time for remembrance... 1943: A Bloody Thanksgiving in the Pacific "In what is probably one of the greatest examples of bravery, fortitude, and sheer grit in the history of the Marine Corps, the Marines dismounted from the Higgins boats and waded hundreds of yards through chest high water under intense enemy fire, loaded down with weapons and packs." U.S. Marines take cover from Japanese fire behind a sea wall on Red Beach #3, Tarawa Island. Nov. 20, 1943. (Photo: Everett Collection/Newscom) Wounded Marines in rubber boats are towed to larger vessels for transport to base hospitals. There were among the 2,296 wounded in the Battle of Tarawa against the Japanese, Nov. 20-23, 1943. (Photo: Everett Collection/Newscom)
