Compass Points - Merry Christmas!

Joy to the World

Compass Points - Merry Christmas!

Joy to the World

December 25, 2024

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On this Christmas Day, Compass Points is saying the traditional prayer for peace on earth, goodwill to men. Until that day arrives, however, Compass Points will also continue to pray for every Marine across the globe, standing a post for freedom.

During the Christmas season in 1942, Marines were just completing their victory at Guadalcanal. Months before, in spring of 1942 the Japanese had expanded their advances in the Pacific as far south as the Solomon Islands. The Solomons were just off the coast of Australia and the Japanese had to be rooted out. The Marines were hastily sent in to do the job. Once begun, the bloody campaign continued until early in 1943 when the remaining Japanese escaped under cover of darkness.

Colonel Joseph H. Alexander wrote about the importance of Guadalcanal in his book, The Battle History of the U.S. Marines: A Fellowship of Valor.

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The American victory at Guadalcanal, dangerously risked and dearly bought, was more a turning point in the Pacific War than even Midway.

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At Midway, the Japanese could blame the fates for their carriers being caught while rearming the air groups. But at Guadalcanal, in a half-year campaign the best of the Empire’s veteran soldiers, sailors, and aviators had been fought to a standstill and eventually overwhelmed by the inexperienced American forces.

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For the United States, and its corps of Marines the victory affirmed some bright truths. The Japanese were tough but not invincible. And the Marines had shown they had something priceless to offer this war: not just amphibious expertise and fierce esprit, but also a certain distinctive valor which could transcend deprivation and be passed on, like a flaming torch from veterans to rookies.

-- Colonel Joseph H. Alexander, The Battle History of the U.S. Marines

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Some historians say that World War II was unnecessary. Mistakes in dealing with Germany and mistakes in dealing with Japan led to worldwide disaster. Whether the war was inevitable or not, in 1942, Marines found themselves on Guadalcanal in a desperate battle for survival. It took the tenacity of Marines of every rank and every MOS to secure the victory.

Today the Marine Corps finds itself once again fighting for survival. Some say that mistakes from the past have placed the Marine Corps in a desperate situation. With one crisis after another erupting around the globe, Marines find themselves fighting for the ships, planes, and equipment they need to effectively respond.

It will take Marines of every rank and MOS, including current active and reserve, former active and reserve, and every friend of the Marine Corps in Congress and beyond, to rebuild Marine capabilities, restore the crisis response role of the Marine Corps, and regain the trust and confidence of the American people. It will be a difficult struggle. Victory will not be won in a day. But Marines never ask for the easy fight. There was nothing easy at Guadalcanal and there is nothing easy today, but Marines will fight through to victory because there is no alternative.

On this Christmas Day, Compass Points is saying the traditional prayer for peace on earth, goodwill to men. Compass Points is extremely grateful for all the Marines who have fought in years past and all the Marines fighting today to win a better future. In every page of his great history of the Corps, Colonel Alexander conveys one simple truth: Marines are made for battle and the battle continues.

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The Battle History of the U.S. Marines: A Fellowship of Valor

By Colonel Joseph H. Alexander

Harper Perennial; First Edition (November 1, 1999)