Maggie's Farm

I read the entire article and not to rain on Vin's parade too heavily, since I haven't fact checked some of his "history" I can tell you that he makes several major errors within the first few paragraphs.

The Marines landed on Guadalcanal unopposed until they moved closer to what would become Henderson Field, named after Major Lofton R. Henderson who was killed at Wake Island. They took the airstrip, but they didn't build it, the Japs did. The Marines set up a parameter around the airstrip and began landing Marine F4F-3's for it's defense. They held out under heavy Japanese assaults both day and night. During the day the Marine Aviators would fly the "Slot" and sink Japanese reinforcements of men and material.

It should be noted that after the Navy landed the Marines they boogied out of the area leaving the Marines on a Japanese held island without ant resupply or support. Parenthetically it should be known that, that theater of operations was commanded by Vice Admiral John S. McCain, Commander,Aircraft,South Pacific...John McCain's father.
Long story short the article's point was that there were some tremendously heroic acts performed by the air and ground Marines at Guadalcanal. It wouldn't be their last test in the Pacific though. My father made five landings until he received orders to flight training.
As boy growing up I met most of the original "Cactus Air Force" which was what the Marines designated themselves who were on Guadalcanal, including two Medal of Honor Winners, too many "aces" to count and heard first hand of their deeds. I mean , after all when Pappy Boyington is your next door neighbor (El Toro, MCAS) when you're born you hear stuff, ya know......all true..

Buddy, you are exactly correct and looking at my phraseology, it was poor. The Navy had to leave the area and even the Marines felt they could get the job done for a time without offshore cover. Things at that time were still dicey although Midway had charted the course for the eventual conquest of EOJ.