Triangle in Prince William County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Fourth Marine Division of World War II
"The Fighting Fourth"
— Activated 16 August, 1943 • Deactivated 28 November, 1945 —
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 12, 2021
Roi-Namur, Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands, 31 Jan. - 8 Feb., 1944, 737 casualties
Saipan, Marianas Islands, 15 June - 9 July 1944, 5,981 casualties
Tinian, Marianas Islands, 24 July - 1 Aug, 1944, 1,906 casualties
Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 19 Feb. - 16 Mar. 1945, 9,098 casualties
Average Combat Strength 18,500
Total Casualties: 17,722
Honors Medal of Honor: 12
Navy Cross: 111
Distinguished Service Medal: 4
Silver Star: 646
Legion of Merit: 53
Distinguished Flying Cross: 36
Navy-Marine Corps Medal: 56
Bronze Star: 2,517
Air Medal: 103
Purple Heart: 14,736
Presidential Unit Citation: 2
Navy Unit Citation: 1
The Fourth Marine Division effected the most combat in the shortest time of any military unit during World War II. 31 January 1944 - 16 March 1945
The Fourth Marine Division was the first combat unit to sail direct into action from the United States. By attacking Roi-Namur in the Marshall Islands, it was the first to capture a Japanese mandated island while defeating the enemy in the shortest combat time in the Pacific Campaign.
By the taking of Saipan, the "Fighting Fourth" obtained air fields and established a port of call for future staging areas of combat troops.
The
"perfect amphibious operation" was in the landing on Tinian Island where two beaches of 65 and 130 yards were used to land the entire division of combat troops.The landing on Iwo Jima, Volcano Island was not only the strongest effort by the Japanese in defense, with only 660 miles from Tokyo, Japan. The loss gave us landing fields that were to save many B-29 Bomber crews returning from bombing runs on the Japanese mainland.
"Uncommon valor was a common virtue"
★ Semper Fidelis ★
Topics and series. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: War, World II • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Valor in Aerial Operations series list. A significant historical date for this entry is July 9, 1944.
Location. 38° 32.57′ N, 77° 20.57′ W. Marker is in Triangle, Virginia, in Prince William County. Memorial can be reached from Jefferson Davis Highway (U.S. 1) 0.1 miles south of Joplin Road (Virginia Route 619), on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 18900 Jefferson Davis Hwy, Quantico VA 22134, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. NYPD Marine Corps Association (here, next to this marker); Bravo Company, The Basic School (here, next to this marker); The CO Vans (here, next to this marker); 42nd Officer Candidates School Class / The Basic School Class 4-67 (here, next to this marker); 1942 (here, next to this marker); VMB-612 (here, next to this marker); Golf Company, The Basic School (here, next to this marker); VMFA-333 Squadron History (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Triangle.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 13, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 13, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 156 times since then and 16 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on March 13, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.