12-13 Sept. 1942: Marine Raiders and paratroopers repulse the Kawaguchi Det.'s night attacks on Edson's Ridge overlooking Guadalcanal's Henderson Field.

Shortly after landing on Guadalcanal, Maj. Gen. Kiyotake Kawaguchi sent more than 3,000 men to attack a force of about 2,000 men consisting mostly of Marines of the 1st Raider Bn. and 1st Parachute Bn. under the command of Lt. Col. Merritt A. "Red Mike" Edson.

The assaults, occurring on the nights of 12 and 13 Sept., nearly drove the Marines off the ridge. However, despite the furious pressure, the Marines gave only a little ground while maintaining the integrity of their line and inflicting massive casualties on the Japanese.

The defensive stand became known as the Battle of Edson's Ridge. The Marines lost 59 killed or missing and 204 wounded. Japanese losses were between 700 and 850 killed and about 500 wounded.

For details, see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Edson%27s_Ridge

ILLUSTRATIONS: (1) Japanese soldiers assault the 1st Raider Bn. on Edson's Ridge. (2) Marine Raiders engage in close combat with Japanese soldiers assaulting Edson's Ridge.