Charlie Company, 1/7 Marines, 1st Marine Division (Re-enacted)

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Early Years

The 7th Marine Regiment (7th Marines) was formed in August of 1917 and was deployed to Cuba and was later demobilzed after World War One, later they would find themselves in Cuba 1933 to help off set destabilization there. Again they would serve their purpose and be deactivated. But finally in January 1941 the 7th Marines were once again founded, in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba of all places, and were promptly relocated to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. In April 1942 they set sail for the Pacific and destiny.

Guadalcanal (Operation Watchtower)

New Britain (Operation Dexterity)

Peleliu (Operation Stalemate II)

Okinawa (Operation Iceberg)

Suicide Charley

From suicidecharley.com a website devoted to members of the real C Co. 1/7:

 " On 24 October 1942, the 1st Marine Division was occupying a defensive position around Henderson Field on Guadalcanal. The 1st Battalion 7th Marines, commanded by LtCol Lewis B “Chesty” Puller helped form this line.  “C” Company was flanked by “B” Company on the right and “A” Company on the left.  At approximately ten pm on 24 October 1942, the Japanese launched a major offensive, throwing three regiments and part of a brigade against the battle weary disease ridden Marines.  “C” Company received the brunt of the Japanese attack.  The morning of 25 October found the defensive line of the 1st Marine Division still intact.  The Japanese attack had been repelled. Later that morning, a flag appeared over the “C” Company position. It consisted of white Japanese parachute material with a skull and cross bones crudely painted on it and inscribed with the word 1st Battalion, 7th Marines “Suicide Charley”.  The flag continued to appear throughout the hard fought battle for Guadalcanal.

            The “Suicide Charley” flag was not seen again until the battle for Peleliu.  During one particular phase of that bloody battle, a replica of the original appeared briefly to inspire the tired Marines to victory.

            Korea provided the stage for the next appearance of this battle symbol.  While on “R&R” in Japan, some members of “C” Company, 1st Battalion 7th Marines, had a new “Suicide Charley” flag made and proudly carried it back to Korea, misspelled name and all.

            From that day on, the black and white “Suicide Charley” flag has traveled the world over with the company.  Many replicas of the original flag have come and gone throughout the years.  The history of “Suicide Charley” has been passed to each new generation of Marines.  In 1961 the Commanding General of the 1st Marine Division authorized “C” Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines to display and carry the “Suicide Charley” guidon at all official ceremonies and functions.  The tradition remains in effect today."

Most do no know exactly what the WW2 version looked like other than the skull and crossbones and the mispelled "Charley". Most certainly it had to have been painted in a field expedient manner. Some sources claim the parachute material was black, and others white, which would result in an opposite paint color. Regardless, it is yet another annal in Marine Corps lore and history that will stand the test of time. Semper Fi!