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The
Meaning of our Insignia
The
word MELANESlA 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, 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.
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