he United States’ involvement in WWII was already into its third year of ruthless fighting on both the European and Asian theatres when the US Marine Corps activated a new division. The 4th and 22nd Marine infantry regiments, along with armored, engineer, transport and other combat and support troops from the 1st Provisional Marine brigade, joined the 29th Marine infantry to form the 6th Division at Guadalcanal on September 7,1944. Though the vast majority of troops in the new unit were seasoned combat veterans having served in the battles of Guam, Saipan and the Mariana Islands, they non-the-less began intense training exercises while preparing for a new mission. Other Marines assigned to the
