Led by Kachin scouts, and using mobility and surprise, the Marauders harassed supply and communication lines, shot up patrols and assaulted Japanese rear areas. sent into battle in World War II, this unit – intended to last only for one 90-day combat mission – is part of the heritage of today’s Rangers. Charlton Ogden, a lieutenant in the 5307th, wrote that what he remembered of its victories was, “The hunger, the exhaustion, the drenchings, the disease, the sores, the denial of every comfort and amenity.” Its volunteer soldiers, poorly supplied, went as far as they could – Myitkyina airfield – carried by their motivation to fight and devotion to not letting their buddies down. The 5307th’s 2nd Battalion, ordered to defend the village of Nhpuhm Ga, narrowly out-marched the Japanese to get there first. Marauder, and Marauder Historian, Robert “Bob” Passanisi,. The Japanese withdrew on April 9; Nhpum Ga was held.

Join our community. Its combat-experienced officers had carefully integrated light mortar and machine gun fires, and virtually every man was armed with a self-loading or automatic weapon in which he had trained to a high level of marksmanship. In February 1944, in an offensive designed to disrupt Japanese offensive operations, three battalions in six combat teams (coded Red, White, Blue, Khaki, Green, and Orange) marched into Burma. The 5307th was attrited away through intense defensive fighting. “, My one regret is that only eight of us are alive to enjoy this historic honor.”, Call to Arms: The SOF community needs you, The unit got its nickname from Time correspondent, 'Expendable' WWII Merrill's Marauders survive into their 100s, He trained his unit hard, working them for three months with. It would also allow the Allies to construct the Ledo Road through which supplies could also travel to Kumming. After wiping out a small Japanese garrison at Ripong, 149 of the men came down with typhus. Unfortunately, combat, disease, and time have taken their toll. The MERRILL’S MARAUDERS ASSOCIATION Patriotism and family solidarity were his reasons for volunteering. Your Subscription Supports our Veteran Staff. The Senate passed a version of the bill late last year, and supporters say they expect President Donald Trump will sign the legislation — a recognition that was a long time coming. It is expected that President Donald Trump will sign it shortly. The legacy of the 5307th became a battle in itself. ), Stelling, Henry (M.D. All I wanted was unconsciousness. On  August 10, 1944, the surviving Merrill’s Marauders were consolidated into the 475th Infantry, which continued service in northern Burma until February 1945. Then, discussion of its actual combat work. Sick soldiers were taken from their hospital beds in India and flown to the defense of Myitkyina airfield, gaining time for the arrival of Chinese reinforcements, including artillery, and another improvised unit of U.S. infantry replacements, designated the New Galahad Force. From February 1944 until April of that same year, the Marauders had fought bitter battles at Walawbum, Shaduzup, Inkangahtawng and Nhpum Ga. A concurrent outbreak of amoebic dysentery (contracted after linking up with Chinese forces) further reduced their effective strength. The OSS-led Kachins, operating independently, helped defeat Japanese patrols. Casualties in combat and by disease were high for the unit and Stevens lived through many close calls, including one instance when he had to loudly cuss to identify himself as an American so his own men didn’t shoot their machine guns at him. Casualties from disease outnumbered those from combat; it was now down to 1,600 men. Taylor, Thomas H., and Martin, Robert J.. Hopkins, James (M.D. The 5307th were hastily trained volunteers, three months of training in India inadequate preparation to turn them into a cohesive unit.

Members of the Office of Strategic Services, which was the forerunner to the Central Intelligence Agency, were given the medal in 2018. The supply drops, from C-47s, were infrequent. Wounded from the 5307th and other Allied units are taken in local transport to waiting US Army Air Force C-47s for air evacuation to India. This site, like many others, uses small files called cookies to help us improve and customize your experience. He was buried at West Point next to General Stillwell per his wishes. Although the Marauders had previously avoided losses from this deadly disease (in part by use of halazone tablets and strict field sanitation procedures), their encampment with Chinese infantry, who used the rivers as latrines, proved their undoing (the Chinese troops, who always boiled their drinking water, were not seriously affected).