A Brief History Of The 4th Marines

“A Brief History of the 4th Marines” is a concise narrative of the regiment since its initial activation over a half century ago. Official records of the Marine Corps and appropriate historical works were utilized in compiling this chronological. It is published for the information of those interested in the 4th Marines and in the events in which it has participated.

Hold High the Torch, first published in 1960, is a history of the distinguished USMC 4th Marine Regiment. Prior to World War II, the 4th Marines saw service in a number of regional conflicts-including the Dominican Republic and in China. With the outbreak of the Second World War, the Regiment took part in the beach defense of Corregidor. With the surrender of Allied Forces in the Philippines, the survivors became prisoners of war and the Regiment ceased to exist. On February 1, 1944, the Regiment was reactivated on Guadalcanal, seeing action on Guam and Okinawa, and with the surrender of Japan, the Regiment took part in the occupation of the country. Included are numerous maps, 32 pages of photographs, a chronology, list of regimental awards, medal of honor citations, and index.

The major ground component of the active Marine Corps Reserve is the 4th Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force. The combat record of this division in World War II was exemplary; in the short space of one year it participated in four major amphibious assaults and won two presidential citations. The interest in its battle record among the reservists who now serve in its ranks has prompted the republication of this brief history, originally published in August 1945 and reprinted in 1974. This new reprint contains a brief history of the reserve 4th Division, written by Colonel Joseph B. Ruth, USMCR, a former member of the 25th Marines. Also included are copies of the division’s lineage and honors, a list of its commanders, and a list of its units and their locations. The author of the 1945 history, then First Lieutenant John C. Chapin, served in the 3d Battalion, 24th Marines of the 4th Division. Assigned to the Historical Division when he recovered from wounds received in combat in Saipan, he completed this history and a similar one of the 5th Marine Division before his release from active duty.—E.H. Simmons, Brigadier General, U. S. Marine Corps (Ret.), Director of Marine Corps History and Museums