Content area
Full Text
United States Marines landed at Henderson Field on Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands once again Oct. 25, 1995, exactly 53 years to the day from the last major Japanese offensive to recapture what was then a strategically vital landing strip.
This time, there were no incoming rounds or bombardment which Marines faced at Henderson Field five decades ago. Instead, the leathernecks were greeted by senior ministers of the government of the Solomon Islands, a police honor guard and rousing music from the Solomon Islands Police Band.
The Marines joined the family of Major Lofton Henderson and Solomon Islanders in honoring the man for whom Henderson Field was named. They also came to remember the longest and certainly one of the turning-point battles of the Pacific Campaign.
Led by the Marine Corps' Deputy Chief of Staff for Aviation, Lieutenant General Harold W. Blot, the 11 Marines supported the dedication of a USMC Historical Division-constructed display and a bronze plaque honoring Maj Henderson.
As commanding officer of Marine Dive Bomber...