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Marines

PHOTOS

Forward Deployed. Forward Engaged.

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U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Dylan Diamond, a team leader with Special Reaction Team, Headquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Installations Pacific, fires an M4A1 Carbine during multiple weapons sustainment training on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Aug. 11, 2022. The members of SRT are attached to the Provost Marshal’s Office and are specifically trained and equipped to react in scenarios like an active shooter, hostage situations, and barricaded subjects. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jonathan Beauchamp)

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Dylan Diamond, a team leader with Special Reaction Team, Headquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Installations Pacific, fires an M4A1 Carbine during multiple weapons sustainment training on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Aug. 11, 2022. The members of SRT are attached to the Provost Marshal’s Office and are specifically trained and equipped to react in scenarios like an active shooter, hostage situations, and barricaded subjects. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jonathan Beauchamp)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Jonathan Beauchamp

U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Stephen E. Liszewski, left, incoming commanding general, MarineCorps Installations Pacific, Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, receives the unit’s guidon during a change of command ceremony from Maj. Gen. William J. Bowers, right, outgoing commanding general, MCIPAC, MCBB, outside of MCIPAC’s Headquarters Building, Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan, on June 24, 2022. Change of command ceremonies allow individuals to witness the official passing of authority change between officers. During the ceremony, the outgoing commander passes the unit’s guidon to the incoming commander, symbolizing the transfer of authority, responsibility, and total commitment to all Marines and Sailors. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Alex Fairchild)

U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Stephen E. Liszewski, left, incoming commanding general, MarineCorps Installations Pacific, Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, receives the unit’s guidon during a change of command ceremony from Maj. Gen. William J. Bowers, right, outgoing commanding general, MCIPAC, MCBB, outside of MCIPAC’s Headquarters Building, Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan, on June 24, 2022. Change of command ceremonies allow individuals to witness the official passing of authority change between officers. During the ceremony, the outgoing commander passes the unit’s guidon to the incoming commander, symbolizing the transfer of authority, responsibility, and total commitment to all Marines and Sailors. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Alex Fairchild)

Photo by Cpl. Alex Fairchild

MajGen Liszewski bio photo

MajGen Liszewski bio photo

Photo by MCIPAC

U.S. Marine Corps Col. David M. Banning, left, commanding officer of Headquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, Marine Corps Installation Pacific, runs alongside Lance Cpl. Christopher Lape, a combat videographer with Communications Strategy and Operations, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit during the Memorial Day 5k Fun Run at Gunner's Gym, Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan, on May 28, 2022. The Memorial Day 5k Fun Run is an annual event held by Marine Corps Community Services to honor fallen U.S. service members in the line of duty. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Isaac W Munce)

U.S. Marine Corps Col. David M. Banning, left, commanding officer of Headquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, Marine Corps Installation Pacific, runs alongside Lance Cpl. Christopher Lape, a combat videographer with Communications Strategy and Operations, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit during the Memorial Day 5k Fun Run at Gunner's Gym, Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan, on May 28, 2022. The Memorial Day 5k Fun Run is an annual event held by Marine Corps Community Services to honor fallen U.S. service members in the line of duty. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Isaac W Munce)

Photo by Cpl. Isaac Munce

U.S. Marine Corps Col. David M. Banning, left, commanding officer of Headquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, Marine Corps Installation Pacific, runs alongside Lance Cpl. Christopher Lape, a combat videographer with Communications Strategy and Operations, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit during the Memorial Day 5k Fun Run at Gunner's Gym, Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan, on May 28, 2022. The Memorial Day 5k Fun Run is an annual event held by Marine Corps Community Services to honor fallen U.S. service members in the line of duty. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Isaac W Munce)

U.S. Marine Corps Col. David M. Banning, left, commanding officer of Headquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, Marine Corps Installation Pacific, runs alongside Lance Cpl. Christopher Lape, a combat videographer with Communications Strategy and Operations, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit during the Memorial Day 5k Fun Run at Gunner's Gym, Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan, on May 28, 2022. The Memorial Day 5k Fun Run is an annual event held by Marine Corps Community Services to honor fallen U.S. service members in the line of duty. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Isaac W Munce)

Photo by Cpl. Isaac Munce

Type 38 Arisaka

Type 38 Arisaka

Photo by Cpl. Alex Fairchild

.03 Springfield (M1903)

.03 Springfield (M1903)

Photo by Cpl. Alex Fairchild

Thompson submachine gun

Thompson submachine gun

Photo by Cpl. Alex Fairchild

M-1 Garand

M-1 Garand

Photo by Cpl. Alex Fairchild

M-1 Carbine

M-1 Carbine

Photo by Cpl. Alex Fairchild

Type 99 Arisaka

Type 99 Arisaka

Photo by Cpl. Alex Fairchild

Type 99 Arisaka

Type 99 Arisaka

Photo by Cpl. Alex Fairchild

Bloodstained helmet from Jack Jackson, dated April 1, 1945. Was worn through 2 Marine invasions.

Bloodstained helmet from Jack Jackson, dated April 1, 1945. Was worn through 2 Marine invasions.

Photo by Cpl. Alex Fairchild

Anti Vehicular and Anti Personnel LandMine

Anti Vehicular and Anti Personnel LandMine

Photo by Cpl. Alex Fairchild

Ceramic hand grenades (half moon hill)

Ceramic hand grenades (half moon hill)

Photo by Cpl. Alex Fairchild

Seninbari / 1000 stitch belt
When a Japanese soldier was called to war, the women in his family would make him a 1000 stitch belt. The stitches were collected from passersby in busy areas. The women asked people to add a stitch for their loved one. The blet was most often worn over the belly when a Japanese serviceman was fighting so as to protect his spirit from harm.

Seninbari / 1000 stitch belt When a Japanese soldier was called to war, the women in his family would make him a 1000 stitch belt. The stitches were collected from passersby in busy areas. The women asked people to add a stitch for their loved one. The blet was most often worn over the belly when a Japanese serviceman was fighting so as to protect his spirit from harm.

Photo by Cpl. Alex Fairchild

“The reality of war”
This canteen, with over 30 bullet holes, was worn by a Marine during the Battle of Sugar Loaf Hill.

“The reality of war” This canteen, with over 30 bullet holes, was worn by a Marine during the Battle of Sugar Loaf Hill.

Photo by Cpl. Alex Fairchild

American Air Forces of World War 2

American Air Forces of World War 2

Photo by Cpl. Alex Fairchild

The Kamikaze
The Kamikaze, or special attack corps were groups of Army and Naval aviators tasked with the destruction of allied Naval ships. Some of these pilots would be specifically tasked with ramming their aircraft into ships or other designated targets. While other members of the unit would act as a screening force for those designated. One popular and lasting myth that exists is that these pilots were given little training beyond the rudimentary operation of the aircraft. While this may be true in some cases, it was not for the overall number of pilots. These pilots saw themselves as engaging viable military targets and did so out of military necessity.

The Kamikaze The Kamikaze, or special attack corps were groups of Army and Naval aviators tasked with the destruction of allied Naval ships. Some of these pilots would be specifically tasked with ramming their aircraft into ships or other designated targets. While other members of the unit would act as a screening force for those designated. One popular and lasting myth that exists is that these pilots were given little training beyond the rudimentary operation of the aircraft. While this may be true in some cases, it was not for the overall number of pilots. These pilots saw themselves as engaging viable military targets and did so out of military necessity.

Photo by Cpl. Alex Fairchild

After the battle: Following the end of active combat on Okinawa in September 1945, the entire island fell into an odd never-land experience. The majority of the inhabited portions of the island had been devastated. In Shuri heights of the 2,500 individual residences the highest remaining wall would have reached your ankle. Large portions of the southern portion of the island was off limits to the Okinawans, because they had been turned into active military camps. The Military Island Government was hard pressed to support the numerous and dispersed civilian internment camps. As the reality finally became apparent that the war was over. Life began to be rebuilt in Okinawa. Because of the devastation that covered the entire island, raw materials were hard pressed to come by. Large numbers of supplies had been shipped to Okinawa for the invasion of mainland Japan. But in the chaos of a quick end of the war no orders were received in regards with what to do with the materials. The Okinawans took to raiding the American dumps for scrap material and goods. This helped to bring about the rise of the black market on Okinawa which would see its peak reached during the Korean war until it would begin its decline.

After the battle: Following the end of active combat on Okinawa in September 1945, the entire island fell into an odd never-land experience. The majority of the inhabited portions of the island had been devastated. In Shuri heights of the 2,500 individual residences the highest remaining wall would have reached your ankle. Large portions of the southern portion of the island was off limits to the Okinawans, because they had been turned into active military camps. The Military Island Government was hard pressed to support the numerous and dispersed civilian internment camps. As the reality finally became apparent that the war was over. Life began to be rebuilt in Okinawa. Because of the devastation that covered the entire island, raw materials were hard pressed to come by. Large numbers of supplies had been shipped to Okinawa for the invasion of mainland Japan. But in the chaos of a quick end of the war no orders were received in regards with what to do with the materials. The Okinawans took to raiding the American dumps for scrap material and goods. This helped to bring about the rise of the black market on Okinawa which would see its peak reached during the Korean war until it would begin its decline.

Photo by Cpl. Alex Fairchild

Marine Corps Base Camp Butler