Carlson’s Raiders

Carlson's Raiders were a group of U.S. Marines led by Evans Carlson during World War II. Carlson, a Marine officer with extensive experience observing Chinese guerrilla warfare, trained his unit using these tactics. The Raiders conducted daring raids in the Pacific, including a surprise attack on Makin Island in August 1942 and a month-long raid behind Japanese lines on Guadalcanal in November 1942. Carlson fostered high morale through democratic discussion and personal courage, referring to his unit as the "Gung-Ho" Battalion, meaning "Work Together". Malaria and wounds eventually led to Carlson's retirement in 1946.1