U.S. marine commanders in Gilbert Islands victory. U.S.

U.S. marine commanders in Gilbert Islands victory. U.S. Marine Corps officers whose units defeated strongly entrenched Japanese forces on Tarawa in the South Pacific Gilbert Islands are pictured at their headquarters after the battle in which 5,700 Japanese were killed or captured. (Nov., 1943). Left to right are: Brigadier General Thomas E. Bourke, Artillery officer; Colonel Merritt A. Edson, Divisional Chief of Staff, and Major General Julian C. Smith, commander of the Second Marine Division.