Fighting on Guadalcanal

To secure the point of view of the fighting men in the Solomon Islands, Lt. Colonel Russel P. Reeder, Jr., of the Operations Division of the War Department General Staff, was designated as my personal representative. He reported to Major General Vandegrift, U. S. M. C., and Major General Patch, U. S. Army, on Guadalcanal, and discussed with many officers and soldiers their experiences in jungle fighting against the Japanese. The stories of these men as told to Colonel Reeder have been printed for your information. The American Marines and Doughboys show us that the Jap is no superman. He is a tricky, vicious, and fanatical fighter. But they are beating him day after day. Their’s is a priceless record of the gallantry and resourcefulness of the American fighting man at his best. Soldiers and officers alike should read these notes and seek to apply their lessons. We must cash in on the experience which these and other brave men have paid for in blood.