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enemy
Japanese forces on the Islands of Saipan and Tinian in the Marianas group, from 15 June to 1 August 1944. Responsible for the supervision and training of the SECOND Marine Division, Brigadier General Edson brought the regiments of his fighting organization to a high state of combat readiness in preparation for the Marianas Campaign. Landing at Saipan in the early afternoon of 15 June, he moved his men in under heavy enemy artillery and mortar fire, established communications with elements ashore and vigilantly maintained direct contact until the establishment of the Division Command Post ashore. Cool and courageous, he repeatedly risked his life to visit the front line units, rallying his men and providing expert tactical advice during critical stages of the battle as the Second Division forces pushed relentlessly against fanatic Japanese resistance to render valiant service during the assault and aid in the ultimate capture of Saipan on 9 July. Participating in the invasion of Tinian on 24 July, Brigadier General Edson again demonstrated outstanding qualities of leadership, military acumen and personal valor during the aggressive, sustained drive which resulted in the seizure of this second fiercely defended enemy base in the strategically important Marianas Group on 1 August 1944. Stouthearted and indomitable, Brigadier General Edson contributes substantially to the success of our offensive operations in the Pacific Theater and, his brilliant combat skill, unfailing judgment and iron determination in the face of tremendous opposition reflect the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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landing assault and seizure of enemy
Japanese-held Tulagi Island, British Solomon Islands, 7 to August 9, 1942. In personal command of the FIRST Marine Raider Battalion during the initial operation, Colonel Edson advanced the attack of his Battalion and its supporting units with such skill, courage and aggressiveness that he was an inspiration to the entire Combat Group and was directly responsible for the capture of Tulagi Island. His gallant conduct throughout this hazardous action was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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1389:, rifles, pistols, grenades, and knives, Col. Edson, although continuously exposed to hostile fire throughout the night, personally directed defense of the reserve position against a fanatical foe of greatly superior numbers. By his astute leadership and gallant devotion to duty, he enabled his men, despite severe losses, to cling tenaciously to their position on the vital ridge, thereby retaining command not only of the Guadalcanal airfield, but also of the 1st Division's entire offensive installations in the surrounding area.
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654:. In 1927, 1930, and 1931, he served with the rifle and pistol teams as assistant coach. During the regional matches of 1932 and 1933, he acted as team coach and captain, respectively. Upon the resumption of the National Matches in 1935, he was captain of the Marine Corps national rifle and pistol teams of 1935 and 1936, winning the national trophies in both years.
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admitted he overshot the field, but the investigation found even with the motor cut out the plane had enough power and elevation that he could have circled around to make another attempt rather than crashed. Finally, in addition to violating the ban on flying O2B-1s, Edson had been restricted to the area of the field at the time of the flight.
916:, ultimately receiving a hemilaminectomy at the end of the month, and would remain there in recovery until March 10th. In February, while still recovering, Edson received a copy of what would become Senate Bill 758 from a Vermont Senator, who asked for his thoughts on it. This analysis consumed Edson's remaining time in the hospital.
587:, and in May received orders for temporary duty at Quantico assisting the Marine Corps Rifle and Pistol Team. This would become a regular arrangement for the next several years, with Edson repeatedly returning from the Depot of Supplies on temporary orders as either a coach or team captain in subsequent years.
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The
President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to Merritt Austin Edson (0–257), Colonel, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving as Commanding Officer of the Tulagi Combat Group during the
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dominating the jungle on either side of the airport. Facing a formidable
Japanese attack which, augmented by infiltration, had crashed through our front lines, he, by skillful handling of his troops, successfully withdrew his forward units to a reserve line with minimum casualties. When the enemy, in
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In July 1951, after returning to
Washington, D.C., he became executive director of the National Rifle Association, where his major efforts in that post were stimulating the interest of Americans in rifle marksmanship. Concurrently, he campaigned vigorously for a Marine Corps adequate both in size and
923:
After the Truman administration required all criticism of the legislation from active military to be routed through the White House rather than go directly to
Congress, Edson retired and delivered a blistering critique of it in hearings. On October 15th, 1947, Edson prepared a letter documenting what
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and in
October 1944 was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of a second Legion of Merit. Duty as commanding general, Service Command, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific, rounded out 44 months of continuous service in the war zone. When a young officer asked him when he might expect to be rotated back to the United
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Edson was horrified. He believed the bill, which would unify the War
Department and Department of the Navy, could undermine civilian oversight of the military by placing the entire military under a powerful secretary of defense who could, at least in theory, become a threat to the republic. Perhaps
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testified that "he is not a fierce Marine. In fact he appears almost shy. Yet
Colonel Edson is probably among the five finest combat commanders in all the United States armed forces." It was also said that he was not readily given to a show of emotion but when his personal runner of several months'
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On August 16th, 1927, while preparing for national matches at Camp Perry, Edson requested orders to Haiti as soon as the matches were complete. Though Edson noted he had a working knowledge of French and had not had foreign shore duty since July 1925, his request was denied. However, several months
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in the garage next to his
Washington, D.C. home while serving in the NRA post. At the time of his death, in addition to his duties at the NRA, he was the navy representative on the Defense Advisory Committee on Prisoner of War Problems. This group recommended the standards of conduct for American
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Approximately 800 Marines withstood the repeated assaults of more than 3,000 Japanese on the "Bloody Ridge", as it came to be called. To the men of the 1st Raider Battalion, however, who sustained 256 casualties, it became "Edson's Ridge", in high honor of the officer who "was all over the place,
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Edson was grounded immediately, and received another flight physical on January 24th. In combination with the aftermath of Edson's rejection from the Kelly Field course, the flight surgeon had to conclude Edson's problems were mental rather than physical, writing "It would appear that he not only
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Unable to complete Advanced Flying School, Edson received new orders for the Company Officers' Course scheduled to begin in September at Quantico. Meanwhile, the flight physical identified only a minor depth perception defect, in the flight surgeon's opinion too minor to affect Edson's flying. An
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The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Brigadier General Merritt Austin Edson (MCSN: 0-257), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Assistant Commander of the SECOND Marine Division during operations against
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The plane was "practically destroyed," and the subsequent investigation was damning. Edson claimed the crash was caused by a forced landing due to the motor cutting out, but this had happened over a field subsequently found to be large and flat enough for a landing in almost any direction. Edson
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For extraordinary heroism and conspicuous intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty as Commanding Officer of the 1st Marine Raider Battalion, with Parachute Battalion attached, during action against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands on the night of 13–14 September 1942. After the
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The Navy Cross is presented to Merritt Austin Edson, Captain, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism on August 7, 1928, while in command of a Marine patrol on the Coco River, en route to Poteca. Captain Edson upon encountering a force of bandits entrenched upon both sides of the river,
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personally led his advance guard against the enemy, engaging in hand-to-hand conflict with them, and by his exhibition of coolness, intrepidity, and dash, so inspired his men that the superior force of bandits were driven from their prepared position, and severe losses inflicted upon them.
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inquiry among officers who had been in the course with Edson revealed he had been grounded after 44 hours of solo flight in DH's due to his poor flying abilities. When questioned about this directly, Edson admitted he had taken more than the usual time to solo DSs and F-5s in Pensacola.
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encouraging, cajoling, and correcting as he continually exposed himself to enemy fire." His nickname, "Red Mike", originating from his red beard worn in Nicaragua days, was also his code name during this battle. From then on he was known by all as "Red Mike". It was for this action—the
1505:. On October 28, 2008, more than 200 volunteers unveiled a monument in honor of Major General Edson during a ceremony at Edson Range. The volunteers used rocks and recycled stripper clips and brass shells from throughout Edson Range in the cement when making the monument.
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for actions in which "his exhibition of coolness, intrepidity, and dash so inspired his men that superior forces of bandits were driven from their prepared positions and severe losses inflicted upon them." From a grateful Nicaraguan government, he was also awarded the
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and until the regiment was withdrawn from Guadalcanal, along with the rest of the 1st Marine Division, in November 1942. Shortly after, another officer stated "that officers and men would willingly follow him anywhere—the only problem was to keep up with him". A
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This ordnance duty was not new to him since he had been closely associated with the development of small arms marksmanship within the Marine Corps. In 1921, he had been a firing member of the winning Marine Corps Team at the National Matches at
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His second tour of duty at Marine Corps Headquarters began in May 1939 when, as Inspector of Target Practice, he was in a position to stress the importance of every Marine being highly skilled with his own individual arm. He was promoted to
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800:. Here, they were supposed to get a short rest but Japanese forces unexpectedly attacked the position on the first evening, penetrating the left center of his line of resistance, forcing a withdrawal to a reserve position.
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The flight surgeon recommended that Edson be grounded for several months with weekly depth perception tests to see if the condition improved. Even after this period, Edson's commander, Maj O.A. Lutz banned him from flying
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857:. He prepared an estimate of the situation for this operation which proved to be surprisingly accurate and has since become a classic in Marine Corps military literature. For this action, he received the
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540:. By May, he had been found physically unqualified to complete the course due to defective depth perception, and sent back to the First Aviation Group in Quantico to receive a flight physical.
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376:, he performed several assignments in Central America and China. It was in Central America where he received his first Navy Cross and the Nicaraguan Medal of Merit with Silver Star.
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Edson was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps on October 9, 1917. On September 30th of the next year, he sailed for France from Philadelphia with B Company of the
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Edson's career as a naval aviator came to an ignominious end following his return to the continental United States in 1925. In March of 1926, Edson received orders to the
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After World War II Edson held several commands until retiring from the Marine Corps on August 1, 1947. After retirement he had several jobs, including the director of the
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1755:; Official Military Personnel Files, 1885 – 1998; Records of the Bureau of Naval Personnel, 1798–2007, Record Group 24; National Archives at St. Louis, St. Louis, MO.
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Following the end of World War I, he was assigned to several positions that would qualify him for the high commands he was to hold in later years. He was promoted to
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In addition to the Medal of Honor and his other military awards, Edson also received several marksmanship awards including the Distinguished Rifleman Badge in 1927.
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552:. On 22 January, 1927, Edson tried to prove his flying ability by defying this ban to take an O2B-1 on a cross country flight to Hampton Roads. He crashed in
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showed bad flying judgement, he lost his head." On February 18th, Edson's flight orders were permanently revoked retroactive to the date of the physical.
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in Philadelphia. Upon detachment from that duty, he became ordnance and war plans officer at the Philadelphia Depot of Supplies for the next four years.
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service was killed at the Matanikau River on Guadalcanal, witnesses said he "cried like a baby", and later stated that the man could never be replaced.
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and, in February 1947, to Marine Corps Headquarters. The final year of Edson's Marine Corps career would be consumed with controversy related to the
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The battle he is best known for was the defense of Lunga Ridge on Guadalcanal September 12–14, 1942. His Raider Battalion, with two companies of the
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865:(December 1, 1943). Later, he was appointed assistant division commander of the 2d Marine Division and participated in this capacity in the capture
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during the period February 1928 – 1929. In command of 160 hand-picked and specially trained Marines, he fought twelve separate engagements with the
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Colonel Edson (front row, second from left) poses for a group photo with other Marine officers on Tulagi shortly after the battle in August, 1942.
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Retirement from active duty came at the age of 50 years and after more than 30 years in the military service of his country. He was promoted to
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Edson remained with First Aviation Group while completing the Company Officers Course. Following this, Marine Corps Aviation Section head
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372:. After the war he held several positions until going to flight school in 1922. After graduating flight school and being designated a
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In September 1929, he returned to the United States and was assigned as tactics instructor to fledgling Marine lieutenants at
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airfield on Guadalcanal had been seized from the enemy on August 8, Col. Edson, with a force of 800 men, was assigned to the
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669:, he was enrolled in the Senior Officers' Course at the Marine Corps Schools, Quantico, Virginia in 1936. He was promoted to
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basis which has since been adopted by other states. He served as president of the National Rifle Association 1949–1950.
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more significantly, he believed it would lead to the disbanding of the Marine Corps as an unnecessary secondary army.
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1586:, is dedicated to Edson as a result of his role as a vocal proponent of the criticality of communications in combat.
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784:. He was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of a second Navy Cross for his successful conduct of the Tulagi operation.
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This regiment saw no combat, but during the last six months of his European tour, he commanded Company D,
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guarding the mail. His interest in military aviation prompted him to apply for flight training at
469:, which had been organized for the express purpose of assisting in the holding of a plebiscite in
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1874:"Local non-profit dedicates monument in honor of Marine Corps Maj. Gen Merrit 'Red Mike' Edson"
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He died on August 14, 1955, in Washington, D.C., by his own hand, having committed suicide by
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for two years. On June 27, 1916, he left college as a member of the First Infantry Regiment,
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January 4, 1958. The ship was sponsored by Mrs. M. A. Edson, widow of General Edson. It was
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In December 1945, Edson was assigned as the senior Marine Corps officer on the staff of the
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and spent the rest of the month in Brest's Camp Hospital #33 before rejoining B Company at
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that were later adopted and issued as the Code of Conduct for all American servicemen.
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from September 23 to October 9, 1942. He also commanded the 5th Marines during the
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Following retirement from the Marine Corps he became the first commissioner of the
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Foundation and First Commissioner of the Vermont Department of Public Safety &
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UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS for service as set forth in the following CITATION:
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On April 14th, 1927, Edson received orders to the Marine Barracks at the
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1501:. The range is used for teaching marksmanship training to recruits from
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a subsequent series of violent assaults, engaged our force in desperate
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States, BGen Edson replied, "When the war's over; when the job's done."
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772:. After his battalion relocated to Guadalcanal they conducted raids on
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Official Military Personnel File of Merritt A. Edson (NAID: 40912374)
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in the Marines in October 1917, and served in France and Germany in
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768:. Two days of severe fighting secured this strategic island in the
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In June 1941, he was again transferred to Quantico, to command the
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473:, Germany. Owing to the failure of the United States to ratify the
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1831:"Medal of Honor – Col. Merritt A. Edson (Medal of Honor citation)"
1768:. Fort Lauderdale, Florida: Write Stuff Enterprises, Inc. 304 pp.
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in his honor in 1964. Edson Range was built to replace the one at
430:. He returned to the university in September 1916, but joined the
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on February 9, 1936. Foreign duty as operations officer with the
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where he had his introduction to the semitropical islands of the
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in 1922. Soon after, he was ordered to the Marine Air Station at
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314:(April 25, 1897 – August 14, 1955), known as "Red Mike", was a
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United States Marine Corps general and Medal of Honor recipient
1837:. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from
1813:"Burial Detail: Edson, Merritt A. (Section 2, Grave 4960-1-2)"
1707:. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from
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attached, were sent to a ridge line a short distance south of
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819:. In this capacity, he was one of the primary leaders in the
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requested that Edson be transferred to a line organization.
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with which his name was later to become so closely linked.
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began with the overseas training of his raider command in
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battalion formed throughout the war. He was promoted to
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started Edson was sent as the commanding officer of the
618:-led guerrilla fighters and denied them the use of the
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A part of Camp Pendleton's Stuart Mesa area was named
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later, on November 14th, Edson received orders to the
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After Edson's Ridge, he was placed in command of the
2136:
United States Marine Corps Medal of Honor recipients
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752:. On August 7, 1942, his raiders, together with the
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in early 1942. This unit was the prototype of every
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United States Marine Corps personnel of World War I
2006:
Once a Legend: Red Mike Edson of the Marine Raiders
1915:"National Register of Historic Places Registration"
1366:takes pleasure in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR to
849:In August 1943, he was named chief of staff of the
836:
1872:Lance Corporal Michael Atchue (October 25, 2008).
1819:. Arlington National Cemetery. (Official website).
1612:List of Medal of Honor recipients for World War II
1912:
1346:Nicaraguan Presidential Medal of Merit with star
935:at the time of his retirement on August 1, 1947.
2171:United States Marine Corps World War II generals
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477:, this mission, however, was never carried out.
2181:American military personnel who died by suicide
880:Brigadier General Edson became chief of staff,
2116:American military personnel of the Banana Wars
1798:Medal of Honor: Historical Facts & Figures
845:BGen Edson surveying the front lines on Tinian
2196:World War II recipients of the Medal of Honor
2121:Companions of the Distinguished Service Order
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977:Major General Edson's decorations included:
2201:Presidents of the National Rifle Association
2141:Recipients of the Navy Cross (United States)
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912:On January 9th, 1947, Edson was admitted to
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1994:Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships
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1800:. Turner Publishing Company, 2004. p. 122.
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575:Marine Corps Supply Activity and Rifle Team
333:Among the decorations he received were the
1701:"Major General Merritt Austin Edson, USMC"
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924:had actually happened, and requested that
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2221:20th-century United States Army personnel
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1988:This article incorporates text from the
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659:Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island
484:on June 4, 1920, and spent two years at
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279:Ethel Winifred Robbins Edson (1896–1985)
2003:
1906:
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928:add it to his official personnel file.
2161:Burials at Arlington National Cemetery
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2056:National Rifle Association of America
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877:was awarded him for these operations.
721:(APDs) led to the organization of the
349:. He is best known by Marines for the
2176:Suicides by carbon monoxide poisoning
1913:Delgado, James P. (January 8, 1990).
1508:
626:valleys. Here, he received his first
610:waters, his detachment was ashore in
396:National Rifle Association of America
304:National Rifle Association of America
287:Merritt Austin Edson, Jr. (1922–1994)
1776:. ("The Presidents of NRA", p. 276).
1617:List of military figures by nickname
1503:Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego
744:Colonel Edson's introduction to the
598:to take over its Marine detachment.
446:Grave at Arlington National Cemetery
387:and earned his second Navy Cross on
2156:United States Marine Corps generals
950:strength for its many commitments.
853:, which was then preparing for the
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289:Herbert Robbins Edson (1931- 2024 )
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1974:from websites or documents of the
1933:"History of Communications School"
1835:Marines Awarded the Medal of Honor
14:
2232:
2151:Recipients of the Legion of Merit
2023:
1705:Who's Who in Marine Corps History
1378:occupation and defense of a ridge
2206:Vermont National Guard personnel
1981:
1970: This article incorporates
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1786:Hoffman, Jon T. 2000, pp. 411–12
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1574:Edson Hall, the location of the
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1304:Nicaraguan Campaign Medal (1933)
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837:Higher commands and more battles
434:on June 26, the following year.
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2216:Military personnel from Vermont
1566:Thomas J. Moriarty in command.
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1274:Navy Presidential Unit Citation
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1364:President of the United States
1336:Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
1315:American Defense Service Medal
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467:15th Separate Marine Battalion
401:
364:He received a commission as a
1:
2146:Recipients of the Silver Star
1959:
1764:Rodengen, Jeffrey L. (2002).
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907:National Security Act of 1947
888:
746:Pacific theater of operations
48:Mad Merritt the Morgue Master
2191:People from Chester, Vermont
2186:Suicides in Washington, D.C.
2131:United States Naval Aviators
897:Edson as a Brigadier General
585:Marine Corps Supply Activity
7:
1895:Camp Pendelton News Article
1622:List of people from Vermont
1589:
1350:Distinguished Service Order
1258:w/ 2nd award star combat V
967:Arlington National Cemetery
882:Fleet Marine Force, Pacific
723:1st Marine Raider Battalion
269:Distinguished Service Order
177:1st Marine Raider Battalion
95:Arlington National Cemetery
10:
2237:
1976:United States Marine Corps
1937:United States Marine Corps
1878:United States Marine Corps
1580:Marine Corps Base Quantico
1416:Second Navy Cross citation
1342:World War II Victory Medal
1223:
825:Battle for Henderson Field
532:Advanced Flying School at
320:United States Marine Corps
302:Executive Director of the
126:United States Marine Corps
2077:
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1400:First Navy Cross citation
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1288:World War I Victory Medal
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972:
955:carbon monoxide poisoning
903:Chief of Naval Operations
663:Marine Corps Headquarters
633:Nicaraguan Medal of Merit
602:Central America and China
486:Marine Barracks, Quantico
324:Marine Corps War Memorial
322:, First President of the
312:Merritt Austin Edson, Sr.
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2004:Hoffman, Jon T. (2001).
1921:. National Park Service.
1627:
1368:COLONEL MERRITT A. EDSON
106:United States of America
1766:NRA: An American Legend
1562:November 7, 1958, with
1358:Medal of Honor citation
1324:American Campaign Medal
914:Bethesda Naval Hospital
806:Battle of Edson's Ridge
794:1st Parachute Battalion
530:U.S. Army Air Service's
212:Occupation of Nicaragua
1972:public domain material
1853:"Merritt Austin Edson"
1445:
1429:
1413:
898:
846:
808:—that he received the
741:
581:Philadelphia Navy Yard
447:
420:Vermont National Guard
351:defense of Lunga Ridge
1576:Communications School
1440:
1424:
1408:
1395:Franklin D. Roosevelt
1283:Mexican Service Medal
896:
844:
739:
719:high speed transports
685:military operations.
657:After short tours at
445:
416:University of Vermont
132:Years of service
2071:President of the NRA
1546:December 3, 1956 by
1432:Silver Star citation
1269:Combat Action Ribbon
940:Vermont State Police
861:and was promoted to
830:combat correspondent
475:Treaty of Versailles
432:Marine Corps Reserve
355:Guadalcanal Campaign
328:Vermont State Police
299:Vermont State Police
297:Commissioner of the
226:Guadalcanal Campaign
25:Merritt Austin Edson
1943:on November 2, 2005
1383:hand-to-hand combat
1338:w/ 4 service stars
1309:China Service Medal
1225:Naval Aviator Badge
851:2nd Marine Division
817:5th Marine Regiment
181:5th Marine Regiment
167:1st Marine Division
163:2nd Marine Division
159:4th Marine Regiment
2031:"Merritt A. Edson"
2008:. Presidio Press.
1919:USS Edson (DD-946)
1900:2014-03-16 at the
1536:United States Navy
1311:w/ 1 service star
899:
855:invasion of Tarawa
847:
742:
693:on April 1, 1940.
691:lieutenant colonel
635:with Silver Star.
606:During service in
504:and he earned his
471:Schleswig-Holstein
448:
426:, for duty on the
406:Edson was born in
2087:
2086:
2078:Succeeded by
1841:on March 5, 2007.
1796:Ronald J. Owens.
1355:
1354:
1219:
1218:
965:He was buried at
863:brigadier general
821:Matanikau actions
733:on May 21, 1942.
462:on November 9th.
424:Eagle Pass, Texas
366:second lieutenant
309:
308:
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2211:Battle of Tarawa
2061:Preceded by
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770:Battle of Tulagi
702:Raider Battalion
667:Washington, D.C.
640:The Basic School
608:Central American
482:first lieutenant
422:and was sent to
408:Rutland, Vermont
347:Legions of Merit
271:(United Kingdom)
236:Battle of Tinian
231:Battle of Saipan
147:
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83:Washington, D.C.
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66:Chester, Vermont
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37:"Red Mike" Edson
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569:Edwin Brainard
525:
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385:Marine Raiders
335:Medal of Honor
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1289:
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510:Naval Aviator
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149:Major general
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29:
22:
19:
2088:
2069:
2044:February 18,
2042:. Retrieved
2034:
2005:
1996:
1987:
1947:February 18,
1945:. Retrieved
1941:the original
1927:
1918:
1908:
1886:. Retrieved
1882:the original
1867:
1856:
1847:
1839:the original
1834:
1825:
1817:ANC Explorer
1816:
1807:
1797:
1792:
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1760:
1713:. Retrieved
1709:the original
1704:
1573:
1560:commissioned
1539:
1526:
1519:
1516:
1510:
1488:
1480:
1448:Other honors
1441:
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1425:
1420:
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1409:
1404:
1403:
1392:
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1330:
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948:
944:paramilitary
937:
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918:
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802:
791:
760:, landed on
743:
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697:World War II
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479:
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452:11th Marines
449:
438:Early career
405:
393:
381:World War II
378:
363:
359:World War II
339:Navy Crosses
332:
311:
310:
220:World War II
218:
204:
197:
191:Battles/wars
78:(1955-08-14)
18:
2111:1955 deaths
2101:1897 births
1715:October 26,
1552:Bath, Maine
1491:Edson Range
1485:Edson Range
1319:Fleet clasp
1251:Silver Star
875:Silver Star
788:Guadalcanal
782:Guadalcanal
774:Savo Island
758:5th Marines
712:5th Marines
675:4th Marines
534:Kelly Field
524:Plane Crash
402:Early years
370:World War I
353:during the
343:Silver Star
260:Silver Star
206:Banana Wars
199:World War I
43:Nickname(s)
2095:Categories
2075:1949–1950
1960:References
1570:Edson Hall
1474:Edson Hall
1246:award star
1242:Navy Cross
889:Retirement
764:, British
648:Camp Perry
628:Navy Cross
624:Coco River
506:gold wings
345:, and two
255:Navy Cross
102:Allegiance
59:1897-04-25
1564:Commander
1544:laid down
1532:destroyer
1518:USS
1437:Citation:
1421:Citation:
1405:Citation:
867:of Saipan
778:Tasimboko
612:Nicaragua
593:USS
494:Louisiana
276:Spouse(s)
135:1917–1947
46:Red Mike
1898:Archived
1888:July 19,
1590:See also
1584:Virginia
1556:launched
1513:(DD-946)
1499:La Jolla
1387:bayonets
683:Japanese
679:Shanghai
518:Marianas
490:Virginia
460:Issoudun
284:Children
173:Commands
112:Service/
1534:of the
1331:4th row
1299:3rd row
1264:2nd row
1244:w/ 2nd
1232:1st row
776:and at
731:colonel
616:Sandino
502:Florida
412:Chester
398:(NRA).
318:in the
2012:
1986:
1772:
1529:-class
1524:was a
973:Awards
873:. The
871:Tinian
762:Tulagi
620:Poteca
595:Denver
550:O2B-1s
389:Tulagi
341:, the
337:, two
247:Awards
123:
114:branch
1628:Notes
1540:Edson
1520:Edson
1511:Edson
1385:with
1276:w/ 2
780:, on
671:major
538:Texas
508:as a
456:mumps
379:When
2046:2010
2010:ISBN
1949:2010
1890:2009
1770:ISBN
1717:2007
1554:and
1542:was
1509:USS
1362:The
869:and
716:Navy
661:and
652:Ohio
622:and
514:Guam
155:Unit
140:Rank
85:, US
73:Died
68:, US
53:Born
1582:in
1578:at
1497:in
1393:/S/
1317:w/
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