Once a Legend: "Red Mike" Edson of the Marine Raiders

Hoffman, Jon T

ISBN 10: 0891414932 / ISBN 13: 9780891414933

Published by Presidio Press, Novato, USA, 1994

About this Item

Biography of the US Major-General best known for his part in Guadalcanal and his leadership of the ill-fated 1st Marine Raider battalion, disbanded in 1944, the first US special forces unit to see combat. Includes several b/w photographs and maps. xvi+434pp. DJ protected by removal DJ cover.

Seller Inventory # 206837

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Once a Legend: "Red Mike" Edson of the Marine Raiders
• Publisher: Presidio Press, Novato, USA
• Publication Date: 1994
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0891414932
• ISBN 13: 9780891414933
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Condition: Very Good
• Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good

About this title

Synopsis

Traces the life and career of the Marine Corps general, recounts his accomplishments in World War II, and describes his life after leaving the service

Reviews

Merritt A. "Red Mike" Edson became a national hero on Guadalcanal during WW II for his epic defense of Henderson Field as the head of the 1st Marine Raider Battalion. He sustained his reputation for fearlessness on Tarawa, Saipan and Tinian as a regimental commander, then as assistant commander of the 2nd Marine Division. In his final wartime assignment, to Service Command of the Fleet Marine Force, he saw the evolution of the Marine Corps into a virtually independent branch of the U.S. armed forces. Edson, a leading Marine advocate during the postwar debate on preserving the corps, resigned rather than accept the compromises of the 1947 National Security Act determing the missions of the services. His suicide in 1955 at age 58 has obscured his distinguished career. Military freelance writer Hoffman's comprehensive biography goes far to restore Red Mike's stature in the history of the corps he loved.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.