Military Power

A single battalion stood between a regiment strength Japanese Sendai Division and a vital airstrip. Providentially, the 1st Battalion, 7th Marines was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Lewis B. Puller nicknamed “Chesty” for his barrel torso. The Japanese force suffered over 1400 killed in action and the airfield was held by the battalion with the Americans sustaining 70 casualties.

This is no doubt referring to the battle on Edsons (Bloody) Ridge on the 24th and 25th of October. It is a little misleading however as the 1/7th were certainly not alone (although the brunt of the japanese attack did fall on their positions). They were supported on their flanks by the 2nd and 3rd battalions and platoons of the 3rd/164th Infantry (an army unit) were interspersed with the Marines. in addition the artillery of the 11th Marines added their considerable fire power. It also gives a rather incorrect figure for the American casualties which were actually about 300.