At dawn on August 7, 1942, thousands of young, fierce, and tenacious American patriots stormed the shores of Red Beach, commencing the epic Battle of Guadalcanal-a roaring display of American might and one of the most consequential military conflicts in the history of our country. Today, our Nation pays tribute to every legend of liberty who made the ultimate sacrifice for their homeland in the jungles of Guadalcanal, and we reaffirm the timeless truth that America will never retreat when our sovereignty falls under threat.
On that fateful summer morning, the heroes of the United States Marine Corps' 1st Marine Division set foot on Guadalcanal Island for the purpose of seizing control of a strategic airfield and defending vital shipping routes. They expected a hard-fought, swift battle, but the war raged on in relentless fury for six months through treacherous ground battles, naval bombardments by night, and air-to-air combat in the skies above the Solomon Islands.
America's fighting force battled not only a formidable enemy, but also Guadalcanal's brutal terrain, merciless monsoons, sweltering heat, thick jungles, and disease-ridden swamps. In the face of hellish conditions and unimaginable suffering, our Marines, Sailors, and Soldiers-the majority of whom were barely out of high school let alone untested in warfare-demonstrated extraordinary courage and unwavering resolve. They achieved a decisive victory, but not without thousands of casualties in the naval and ground campaigns.
America's defeat of Imperial Japan at the Battle of Guadalcanal is indelibly etched upon our national character. The landmark victory helped turn the tide of World War II and solidified our military dominance-proving that our warriors could stand toe-to-toe with one of the most vicious fighting forces on the face of the Earth. To ensure our military's storied history continues well into the future, as President, I am proudly rebuilding our military, achieving our recruiting goals, and restoring a foreign policy of peace through strength. Under my leadership, the United States military will remain the mightiest, fiercest, boldest, and most revered in the entire world. Our service members will always be prepared to defend American interests and American security in the Indo-Pacific and elsewhere, standing ready to summon the same bold fighting spirit that America's heroes did at Guadalcanal and throughout the Pacific theater during World War II.
The gallant troops at Guadalcanal fought not for territorial conquest, but to conquer tyranny and defend our way of life. In their honor, we pay tribute to the enduring legacy of our Nation's sons who selflessly took up arms to secure an obscure yet pivotal island in the Pacific in defense of our freedom, our home, and our beloved civilization.
