Near Triangle in Prince William County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

The ‘Striking Sixth’ Memorial

Photographed By Kevin W., November 2, 2007

1. The ‘Striking Sixth’ Memorial Marker

Inscription.

The ‘Striking Sixth’ Memorial. . , (Marker- right side of entrance): The 6th MARINE DIVISION was formed on Guadalcanal in September 1944 and was composed of three infantry regiments: 4th Marines; 22nd Marines; 29th Marines; an artillery regiment, 15th Marines and several support units., The 4th MARINES dates back to 1911. It fought in the Phillipines in 1942; was reactivated in 1944 from battalions of the famous Raiders; fought with the 2nd Marines as the 1st Provisional Marine Brigade in the Invasion of Guam; became part of the ‘Striking Sixth.’, The 22nd MARINES was formed in June 1942. It did garrison duty on Samoa; assaulted Engebi Island in the Kwajelein Atoll in February 1944; fought in the 1st Provisional Marine Brigade at Guam; became part of the ‘Striking Sixth.’, The 29th MARINES was formed in May 1944. The 1st Battalion participated in the assault on Saipan, then became part of the ‘Striking Sixth.’, The 15th MARINES consisted of the artillery units formerly with the 4th, 22nd and 29th Regiments., The 6th MARINE DIVISION was only in existence for 19 months. It left a record of distinguished service second to none. It was awarded the coveted PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION as a result of its superior performance during the Battle of Okinawa., (Marker - left side of entrance): Monuments and Memories (for those who never came home), Some people say I should not waste the hours of my life , on monuments and memories recalling times of strife, They seem to think it only is a name upon a stone , while I reflect that easily that name could be my own, Should I forget those men I knew who stood and fell by me? , Should I forget those torrid isles upon that sultry sea?, Should I forget that smiling lad from Arizona’s plain? , Who fought alongside me though wounded and in pain?, Or should I just forget about that Corpsman standing fast , Who put his body over mine and took that mortar blast?, Should I forget those countless men who waded into shore , And gave their lives defending my Country and my Corps?, I can’t forget one single name. Those men are with me still , If I don’t remember them, I ask you then who will?, Robert A. Gannon. , Near the entrance are individual campaign markers for China, Japan Saipan, Guam, Marshalls, Bouganville, Solomons, and Makin. At the far end is a campaign marker for Okinawa.

(Marker- right side of entrance): The 6th MARINE DIVISION was formed on Guadalcanal in September 1944 and was composed of three infantry regiments: 4th Marines; 22nd Marines; 29th Marines; an artillery regiment, 15th Marines and several support units.

The 4th MARINES dates back to 1911. It fought in the Phillipines in 1942; was reactivated in 1944 from battalions of the famous Raiders; fought with the 2nd Marines as the 1st Provisional Marine Brigade in the Invasion of Guam; became part of the ‘Striking Sixth.’

The 22nd MARINES was formed in June 1942. It did garrison duty on Samoa; assaulted Engebi Island in the Kwajelein Atoll in February 1944; fought in the 1st Provisional Marine Brigade at Guam; became part of the ‘Striking Sixth.’

The 29th MARINES was formed in May 1944. The 1st Battalion participated in the assault on Saipan, then became part of the ‘Striking Sixth.’

The 15th MARINES consisted of the artillery units formerly with the 4th, 22nd and 29th Regiments.

The 6th MARINE DIVISION was only in existence for 19 months. It left a record of distinguished service second to none. It was awarded the coveted PRESIDENTIAL UNIT

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CITATION as a result of its superior performance during the Battle of Okinawa.

(Marker - left side of entrance): Monuments and Memories (for those who never came home)

Some people say I should not waste the hours of my life
on monuments and memories recalling times of strife

They seem to think it only is a name upon a stone
while I reflect that easily that name could be my own

Should I forget those men I knew who stood and fell by me?
Should I forget those torrid isles upon that sultry sea?

Should I forget that smiling lad from Arizona’s plain?
Who fought alongside me though wounded and in pain?

Or should I just forget about that Corpsman standing fast
Who put his body over mine and took that mortar blast?

Should I forget those countless men who waded into shore
And gave their lives defending my Country and my Corps?

I can’t forget one single name. Those men are with me still
If I don’t remember them, I ask you then who will?

Robert A. Gannon
Near the entrance are individual campaign markers for China, Japan Saipan, Guam, Marshalls, Bouganville, Solomons, and Makin. At the far end is a campaign
Photographed By Kevin W., November 2, 2007

2. The ‘Striking Sixth’ Memorial Marker
Monuments and Memories
marker for Okinawa.

Erected 2000 by Sixth Marine Division Association.

Topics and series. This historical marker and memorial is listed in these topic lists: Military • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the National Cemeteries series list. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1944.

Location. 38° 32.453′ N, 77° 21.631′ W. Marker is near Triangle, Virginia, in Prince William County. Marker can be reached from Quantico Drive. This marker is on the Quantico National Cemetery Memorial Trail, located near the center of the cemetery grounds. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Triangle VA 22172, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Edson's Raiders (within shouting distance of this marker); Fourth Marine Division Association Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); U.S. Servicemen and Women Held Prisoner by Terrorists Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Commonwealth of Virginia Memorial (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Purple Heart Memorial (about 400 feet away); First Marine Division Association Memorial (about 400 feet

Photographed By Kevin W., November 2, 2007

3. The ‘Striking Sixth’ Memorial Marker

away); a different marker also named Purple Heart Memorial (about 400 feet away); Sixth Marine Division (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Triangle.

More about this memorial. This marker is on the Quantico National Cemetery Memorial Trail. Links to other markers along the Memorial Trail are provided in the Related Markers section below.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. To better understand the relationship, study each marker in the order shown.

Also see . . . 6th Marine Division Official Web Site. The 6th MARINE DIVISION was in existence for only 19 months and was the only Marine division to be formed and disbanded overseas, never to see service in the United States. (Submitted on November 13, 2007, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.)

Additional commentary.
1. Corporal Richard E. Bush, USMC, on the Significance of Memorials

'A nation reveals itself not only by the men it produces
Photographed By Kevin W., November 2, 2007

4. China • Japan • Saipan • Guam
but by the men it honors, the men it remembers, men like those who gave their lives on Okinawa. They must not be forgotten.'

Corporal Bush served with 'C' Co, 1st Bn, 4th Marines, 6th Division on Okinawa, where he received the Medal of Honor (our nation's highest military award for valor) for his courageous action.

— Submitted November 14, 2007, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.

2. The Meaning of the 'Striking Sixth' Insignia
The word MELANESIA Is a collective name for the islands in the Pacific Ocean northeast of Australia. It was selected to commemorate the fighting in the Solomons of the Raider Battalions, which later comprised the 4th Marines.

MICRONESIA covers islands in the West Pacific Ocean, including the Marianas, Carolines, Marshalls, Palau and the Gilberts east of the Philippines, It was selected to commemorate the fighting of the 22nd Marines at Eniwetok, the Ist Provisional Marine Brigade at Guam, and the 1st Battalion, 29th Marines at Saipan.

The word ORIENT was selected for two reasons: First, because China was the home of the 4th Marine Regiment, lost on Bataan, and later reactivated as a unit of the Sixth Marine Division. Second,

Marshalls • Bouganville • Solomons • Makin image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Kevin W., November 2, 2007

5. Marshalls • Bouganville • Solomons • Makin

it was anticipated that the final stages of the war would have to be fought in the Orient.

The Crusader's sword is symbolic of the struggle against the tyrany of the Axis powers.

The basic design for the insignia was submitted by Colonel Victor Bleasdale of the 29th Marines. The final design incorporated the ideas of Major General Lemuel C. Shepherd, Jr., then Commanding General, 6th Marine Division, and Corporal Michael W. Pawl, H&S Company, 29th Marines.

The artist who actually drew and colored the design was Lieutenant George Thompson, 29th Marines.

— Submitted November 13, 2007, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.

The "Sword and Six" image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Kevin W., November 2, 2007

6. The "Sword and Six"

Beneath the bronze replica of the 'Sword and Six,' is a time capsule to be opened on 1 April, 2045, the 100th anniversary of the 'Striking Sixth' landing on Okinawa.

Photographed By Kevin W., November 2, 2007

7. The ‘Striking Sixth’ Memorial Marker

The Commonwealth of Virginia Memorial is in the left background. See list of related markers for more information.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 13, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 13, 2007, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 5,703 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on November 13, 2007, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.