Much overdue unit recognition but well deserved. It is great to see stories like this honoring historic units in our Military history.

2015-06-20T09:41:55-04:00

http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/story/military/2015/06/19/return-of-the-raiders-marine-legends-attend-marsoc-renaming-event/29000153/

Legendary Marine Raiders attend MARSOC's renaming ceremony

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. — The Marine Raiders are back. In a brief formal ceremony at its headquarters here Friday, Marine Corps Forces Special Operations

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Jun 20 at 2015 10:08 AM

2015-06-20T10:08:45-04:00

Well, it is probably good that MARSOC is renaming, re-designating and re-flagging the MARSOF units into Raiders which have a honored history and flow off the tongue better.
As far as falling thru the cracks this happens routinely when force structure is modified especially reduced. I have seen many honored Infantry regiments and a number of Divisions had the colors and guidons furled and lineage and honors stored away in the event that the unit is recalled to the active rolls.

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made Jun 20 at 2015 10:20 AM

2015-06-20T10:20:47-04:00

Am I missing something CW4 Private RallyPoint Member? I see nothing in this article about honors and awards being "overdue" or "falling through cracks" ... the article specifically states:

"When the four Raider battalions were deactivated after two years in combat, the 7,710 Marines and 368 sailors who fought under the name had covered themselves in glory. According to data from the Marine Raider Association and Foundation, the Raiders together earned seven Medals of Honor, 141 Navy Crosses and 330 Silver Stars."

Response by SrA Daniel Hunter made Jun 20 at 2015 1:43 PM

2015-06-20T13:43:54-04:00

That is such a great picture! What an honor it would be to be in the company of such men, of both generations.

Response by Cpl Dennis F. made Jun 20 at 2015 6:29 PM

2015-06-20T18:29:53-04:00

478 medals "BETWEEN" two guys? Yeah I'd say they're badassed.
How about honoring them by taking the care to write them ALL up properly.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Jun 21 at 2015 3:17 PM

2015-06-21T15:17:27-04:00

Bringing back the Raiders as a USMC Special Operations name and organization reminded me of another group of heroes who fought in WWII and seemed to heave been disbanded later. The 100th BN was comprised of Japanese Americans generally from Hawaii who were segregated because of their heritage and appearance.
The 100th Battalion/442nd RCT, in just over one year, compiled an astonishing combat record. But this segregated unit, almost entirely comprised of Japanese Americans, suffered an equally remarkable number, about 800, killed or missing in action. They won seven Distinguished Unit Citations, including one awarded personally by President Harry Truman who said, on July 15, 1946, "You fought the enemy abroad and prejudice at home and you won." In addition, after an exhaustive survey of individual awards from WWII, twenty more Medals of Honor were awarded, bringing the total to twenty one. Over 4,000 Purple Hearts, 29 Distinguished Service Crosses, 588 Silver Stars, and more than 4,000 Bronze Stars were awarded to the men of the 442nd RCT for action during WWII.