The Still Picture Branch of the National Archives is excited to share more than 6,000 recently digitized photographs of U.S. Marine Corps activities in World War II and Korea.
A large portion of this incredible series covers USMC presence in Korea, with additional images dating back to the advent of photography and covering a wide variety of USMC activities. Within this series, you will find images of USMC aircraft, the Marine Corps Band, artillery, atomic bomb testing in Nevada in 1952, communication equipment, commandants, the Cunningham Collection (early aviation photographs), insignia, medical evacuation (medevac), Marines on liberty, Medal of Honor recipients, enlistment posters, the surrender of Japan, and Japanese and Allied prisoners of war (POWs).
The World War II subjects include the Battles of Bataan, Bougainville, Cape Gloucester, Central Solomons, Corregidor, Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima, Japan, Marshall Islands, Midway, New Britain, Okinawa, Philippines, Saipan, Tarawa, Tinian, and Wake Islands. There are also photographs of Navajo Indians and wounded soldiers. The Korea section consists of photographs of various USMC campaigns in Korea, as well as views of aircraft, artillery, bunkers, cemeteries, close air supply and support, communications, engineering activities, captured weapons and equipment, and much more.
Learn more about these records in the National Archives Catalog newsletter.
Image sources:
- Blanket-bouncing time out west. Marines in the Pacific. National Archives Identifier 532376: https://catalog.archives.gov/id/532376
- Marine Major General Lemuel Shepherd, commanding general of the 6th Marine Divison, relaxes on an Okinawan ridge long enough to consult a map of the terrain. National Archives Identifier 532374: https://catalog.archives.gov/id/532374
- Women's Reserve, National Archives Identifier 74243629: https://catalog.archives.gov/id/74243629