GUADALCANAL
<August 7, 1942 - February 21, 1943>
Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, Japanese forces made their
way to the port of Rabaul located on New Britain Island in the
Southwest Pacific. The enemy intended to strategically use the
port to launch an operation against the United States. The Allied
forces would be ready for them on the neighboring island of Guadalcanal
in hopes of immobilizing the Japanese in the Southwest Pacific.
Guadalcanal was one of the first campaigns in which the newly
formed MIS participated.
From the first class of MISLS
graduates, a small team of MIS soldiers, led by Captain John Burden
made their way to Guadalcanal. The linguists
gained first-hand experience interrogating POWs, translating documents,
broadcasting and creating propaganda. The MIS was truly tested
in its linguistic ability in the Guadalcanal campaign. Through
its work, the U.S. obtained vital information about the enemy.
Everyone immediately recognized the essential need and immeasurable
value of the linguists, and soon after, the MIS came to be in
high demand throughout the Pacific.
Until this campaign, Imperial Forces had initiated and dominated
every move in the Pacific. But the tide turned after the Guadalcanal
campaign. After six months of battle in Guadalcanal’s dense
jungles, the U.S. gained victory and halted the Japanese advances.
The battle was the first step in taking the remainder of the Solomon
Islands. Japanese forces could no longer expand in the Southwest
Pacific. With successes later in the campaigns at New
Guinea and the Solomon
Islands, the American and Allied forces were able to create
a strong base at Guadalcanal from where they could attack Japanese
forces.
