Setting out in February 1944, the unit (code-named "Galahad") marched some 750 miles over the Himalayan foothills through dense jungle, contending with the enemy, hunger and rampant disease.
Despite lacking heavy weapons support, the Marauders engaged in five major battles and 32 smaller actions over five months, spending much of that time in continual combat.
Although vastly outnumbered, they inflicted heavy losses on the Japanese 18th Division and on May 17, 1944, captured Myitkyina airfield, the key transport supply hub in northern Burma. Only 200 Marauders completed the protracted mission, the survivors having lost an average of 35 pounds.
The unit disbanded that August.
In 1944 the Army awarded the Marauders a Distinguished Unit Citation, and every member received a Bronze Star. Dozens of Marauders have received other awards, including a Distinguished Service Cross, the Silver Star and individual Congressional Gold Medals.
In 1962, writer-director Samuel Fuller, himself a World War II veteran, paid homage to the unit with the historical epic "Merrill's Marauders", starring Jeff Chandler in his final role.
Well Deserved. --GreGen
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