Francisco Ocegueda, the American Battle Monuments Commission Deputy Director of Cemetery Operations for the Pacific Region gives remarks during the 81st Anniversary of the Battle of Guadalcanal Ceremony at the Guadalcanal American Memorial in Honiara, Solomon Islands, August 7, 2023. The Battle of Guadalcanal, also known as Operation Watchtower, was a seven-month campaign that marked the first Allied land offensive in the Pacific theater in World War II. - Francisco Ocegueda, the American Battle Monuments Commission Deputy Director of Cemetery Operations for the Pacific Region gives remarks during the 81st Anniversary of the Battle of Guadalcanal Ceremony at the Guadalcanal American Memorial in Honiara, Solomon Islands, August 7, 2023. The Battle of Guadalcanal, also known as Operation Watchtower, was a seven-month campaign that marked the first Allied land offensive in the Pacific theater in World War II.

The 27th Regiment, 2nd Battalion (USMC), lands on Iwo Jima. - The 27th Regiment, 2nd Battalion (USMC), lands on Iwo Jima. (Photo by Bob Campbell, National Archives Identifier 148727708) // 230223-M-CG311-001

Richard Russell, a World War II Marine veteran, poses for a photo during an interview at his home in Phoenix, Arizona, July 23, 2022. Russell fought in the Battle of Guadalcanal during WWII, and turned 20 years old while fighting on the island. This year he will be celebrating his 100th birthday on the 80th anniversary of the battle. - Richard Russell, a World War II Marine veteran, poses for a photo during an interview at his home in Phoenix, Arizona, July 23, 2022. Russell fought in the Battle of Guadalcanal during WWII, and turned 20 years old while fighting on the island. This year he will be celebrating his 100th birthday on the 80th anniversary of the battle.

Retired Col. James “Rip” Harper (second from left) and Brig. Gen. Patrick Hermesmann, commanding general of 4th Marine Logistics Group (third from left), observe the 6th Engineer Support Battalion’s battle color rededication ceremony in Portland, Ore., Nov. 15, 2014.The battalion celebrated the 70th anniversary of its formation with a rededication ceremony and paid homage to Harper, the battalion’s first adjutant. Harper served as the unit’s first adjutant as a first lieutenant in 1944, when the unit was formed in Guadalcanal during World War II. - Retired Col. James “Rip” Harper (second from left) and Brig. Gen. Patrick Hermesmann, commanding general of 4th Marine Logistics Group (third from left), observe the 6th Engineer Support Battalion’s battle color rededication ceremony in Portland, Ore., Nov. 15, 2014.The battalion celebrated the 70th anniversary of its formation with a rededication ceremony and paid homage to Harper, the battalion’s first adjutant. Harper served as the unit’s first adjutant as a first lieutenant in 1944, when the unit was formed in Guadalcanal during World War II.