09/14/2026
'Edson keenly felt our losses. He was well aware that if he had been unable to form an adequate defensive line with the number of men we had on hand yesterday, he would certainly not be able to do it today when we had even less. " I don't believe the Nip commander will make the same mistake he made last night and get bogged down in a night attack in the thick jungle.... He'll come right at us across the open ground so he can bring his superior numbers to bear...." Col. Merritt "Red Mike" Edson, September 13, 1942.
'A few men, driven to the limits of their endurance, tried to filter toward the rear. Fear is contagious in battle, spreading from man to man, until whole squads, platoons, companies, and finally whole regiments are in full flight. Acting quickly, I saw Edson standing there, angry as hell and determined to nip in the bud any attempts to leave. "Nobody moves," he loudly proclaimed, yanking his .45 automatic from his holster and waving toward the retreating men. " I will shoot any man who heads for the rear. The only thing they have that you don't is guts. Get back in line. You'll die in your foxholes. "' Merritt Edson, Sept. 14, 1942
"During the frantic two day fight, we raiders suffered 135 casualties, while the Chutes lost 128 men. Of this number, a total of 59 of our fellows were dead or missing in action, 34 Raiders, the rest Paramarines. Marlin " Wh**ey" Groft ~ Bloody Ridge and Beyond
Photos by Benjamin Bierstedt camo painted P41s by Holsum
