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Col. Eric Kleis, officer in charge, Legal Services Support Section, presented the five-headed beast trophy, representative of the five companies that comprise Headquarters & Services Bn,, to Service Company Commander1st. Lt. John Cabbage, to safeguard and defend until the next Tarawa run scheduled for Nov. 20, 2018. The company was awarded the trophy for best participation.

Photo by Jeremy Beale

Marines honor their own during first World War II Battle of Tarawa Run

14 Dec 2017 | Jeremy Beale/Staff Writer Marine Corps Base Quantico

More than 425 Marines gathered outside of Headquarters and Service Battalion (H&S Bn.) at Yale Hall on Nov. 20 to conduct a three-mile memorial run in honor of the 74th anniversary of the Battle of Tarawa.

Marines ran to honor the extraordinary accomplishments, heroism, sacrifice and success of the World War II Marines who stormed the shores of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll in the three day campaign against Axis forces, which occurred Nov. 20-23, 1943.

Headquarters and Service Battalion Commander Col. John Atkinson told the story of 18,000 Marines who did what millions could not.

Of the 18,000 United States troops sent to the Battle of Tarawa, more than 1,700 troops died, approximately 1,000 of which were Marines. In addition to those killed, more than 2,000 were wounded.

Many troops invading the shore did so under the heavy fire of 4,500 armed Japanese soldiers, as U.S. troops waded in waist deep water and crawled upon shore to secure their position.

After the memorial run Atkinson emphasized the importance of the moment in which the Marines currently stood, recognizing the history of the 18,000 Marines who fought to advance upon the shores of Tarawa—the representation of Semper Fidelis in action.

“That is who you are, your heritage, this is what Marines do,” Atkinson said. “Remember the legacy you have been given and protect what you have earned.”

Every Marine in attendance answered with an “Oorah.”

Those who participated in the run traveled from Yale Hall, around Lejeune Hall, down Zeilin Road, past the Noncommissioned Officer Academy, through the archway of Marine Corps University and back to Yale Hall.

Marines from Headquarters Company, Service Company, Combat Development Company, Tenant Activities Company and Training and Education Company all participated.

The company with the most participants was awarded “The Beast Tarawa Day Run Trophy” and they will hold it at their respective company to defend each year at the annual Tarawa run.

Col. Eric Kleis, officer in charge, Legal Services Support Section, presented the five-headed beast trophy, representative of the five companies that comprise H&S Bn., to Service Company Commander 1st. Lt. John Cabbage, to safeguard and defend until the next Tarawa run scheduled for Nov. 20, 2018.

Service Company is comprised of Marines from S-4, S-6, Legal Services Support Section, Reserve Support Unit and Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs

“Congratulations to the Marines and units supported and manned by Service Company, H&S Bn.,” Atkinson said. “We will see who comes to the fight next year with the motivation and numbers to take down Service Company.”


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