The early days of the Pacific War found the United States facing an enemy who had occupied a series of islands in the South Pacific. The enemy's goal in this region was to provide an outer defensive zone to protect bases from which future conquests would be launched. The enemy was Japan. This highly detailed study reveals how, despite being often poorly equipped and sometimes fighting with little external support against a resolute enemy, the Marines evolved into a well-equipped and ideally organized amphibious assault force that eventually aided in the defeat of an empire.