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Members of what's been dubbed "the Greatest Generation" were honored at Quantico Marine Corps Base yesterday for the heroism that made them one of the most decorated units in military history.
Nearly a dozen members of the Raider Battalions were on hand as the Marine Corps dedicated its new $1.5 million home for the Martial Arts Center of Excellence on the grounds of The Basic School.
It was a blending of the old and new as men in their 80s who had once been pioneers in hand-to-hand combat watched the current generation demonstrate techniques employed today in places such as Iraq and Afghanistan.
Five years ago, Marine Commandant James L. Jones laid out a vision for the martial-arts and close-combat programs he felt the service needed. Yesterday, that vision culminated in the ribbon-cutting of a new facility dedicated to honing the training now given to every Marine.
The building was named Raider Hall to memorialize the 8,600 Marine Raiders and Navy corpsmen who made up the unit that operated heroically for two years during World War II.
The four battalions of Raiders earned 330 Silver Stars, 169 Bronze Stars, 136 Navy Crosses, 32 Letters of Commendation, 21 Distinguished Service Crosses, 18 Legions of Merit, seven Medals of Honor, six Navy and Marine Corps medals and three Soldier Medals--more medals than any other unit in such a short time period.
The commandant of the Marine Corps formed the Raiders in February 1942 after being impressed by the bravery and tenacity of British commandos.
The Raiders were volunteers willing to undergo training tougher than the normally grueling challenges all Marines endure. They learned martial arts for hand-to-hand combat and were given dangerous missions that required "surprise and speed," according to yesterday's program.
Through the Raiders, the Chinese term "gung ho"--meaning "working together"--took root among the Marines. Young Evans F. Carlson--who would go on to become a brigadier general--brought the concept to the Corps after spending time with Chinese guerrilla forces in North China, according to his granddaughter, Karen Carlson Loving.
Loving traveled from South Carolina to attend yesterday's event along with her father, Evans C. Carlson, who also was a Raider. Evans F. Carlson commanded his son in the 2nd Battalion, Echo Company.
John Kelley of Harrisburg, Pa., was another Raider who attended yesterday's dedication. He was just 18 when he started serving in World War II.
"I was too young to really be afraid," he said yesterday. "We were kids. People didn't realize we fought the second World War with kids."
As a member of the Third Battalion, K Company, Kelley saw action at Guadalcanal, Bougainville, the Russell Islands and Guam--where he earned his Purple Heart.
"I'm proud, proud, proud," the 81-year-old said of the dedication of Raider Hall. "It's so good that nobody forgot us."
To reach PAMELA GOULD: 540/657-9101 pgould@freelancestar.com