Seventy-six years ago today, the Marines landed at Tarawa. During this three-day battle, the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps lost more than 1,600 men. Today, we honor them. | U.S. Marine Corps

#OTD in 1943, #Marines with 2d Marine Division landed on Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll, in the Gilbert Islands. For the next 76 hours, Marines battled against intense Japanese resistance to secure the island and gain control of the critical airfield. The initial landings were especially challenging, as low tides beached many landing craft on an offshore reef, forcing Marines to wade hundreds of yards in the open water under intense enemy fire. Despite fierce resistance and heavy casualties, by the