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“The Pacific” TV miniseries, produced by Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman, in association with HBO Films, Playtone, Dreamworks and Seven Network, brings the gritty combat action of the Marines in WW II’s island-hopping campaigns to the fore during this 65th anniversary of the end of the war.

Andrew Cooper

The infamous French Chauchat. Note the open side of the half-moon ammunition magazine, which was known to easily collect mud, causing jams at the worst possible times.

Courtesy of the Marine Corps History Division

In this July 12, 1962, photograph, President John F. Kennedy stands with the 22nd Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen David M. Shoup, during the President’s visit to the Commandant’s home at Marine Barracks Washington, D.C.

Courtesy of “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band, Washington, D.C.

FEATURES

12 The War on Terror
Edited by R. R. Keene
Leaving Iraq, Marines focus on building security and confidence in Afghanistan.
18 Legacy on a Large Canvas: HBO’s Miniseries “The Pacific”
By Allan T. Duffin
Long-awaited 10-part miniseries on Marines in the Pacific island-hopping campaigns debuts this month.
26 “Sledgehammer” at War and at Peace: Explaining Eugene Sledge’s Legacy to His Grandson
By Col Joseph H. Alexander, USMC (Ret)
Noted Marine historian pens a personal letter to an infant, explaining his grandfather’s contributions and his trials.
33 Moore’s Marauders: Finding a Few Good Men and Women
By Linda Goetz Holmes
Ken Moore has a mission—recovering and identifying World War II remains from the Pacific.
42 Operation United Response: Helping Haiti
By R. R. Keene
The Navy-Marine team reacts quickly to deliver aid and comfort to Haiti’s hapless earthquake victims.
44 Potato Diggers, Belgian Rattlesnakes and Machine-Gun Heroism at Guadalcanal
By Charles P. Neimeyer, Ph.D.
The evolution of Marines and their machine guns: an infantry love story that spans fields of fire.
50 David M. Shoup: Courage, Character, Culture and the U.S. Marine Corps
By Karl J. Glenn
A proven warrior, skilled poet and collector of Japanese sake bottles, the Corps’ 22nd Commandant objected to the Vietnam buildup.