HONIARA – The 83rd commemoration ceremony of United States Marines landing on Guadalcanal during the World War II will be celebrated at the Guadalcanal American Memorial, Skyline, Central Honiara on Thursday morning, August 7.
U.S. Ambassador to Solomon Islands Ann Marie Yastishock will lead the U.S. delegation which will include senior members of the U.S. Marine Corps. Solomon Island dignitaries and members of the diplomatic corps will also attend the event.
Built through the joint efforts of the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) and the Guadalcanal-Solomon Islands Memorial Commission, the Guadalcanal American Memorial honors those who lost their lives during the Guadalcanal Campaign of World War II (August 7, 1942 to February 9, 1943).
Following the event, guests will continue on to join the Solomon Scouts & Coastwatchers Memorial on Commonwealth Street for the next commemoration ceremony at around 8am.
Why We’re Here
U.S. Marines normally return to the Solomon Islands to honor the heroes of the Battle of Guadalcanal — Solomon Islanders and U.S. service members who fought side by side during World War II. This visit recognizes the deep bond formed over 80 years ago and shows America’s continuing friendship and respect for the Solomon Islands people.
A Historic Connection
➢ First Major Allied Offensive: On August 7, 1942, U.S. Marines landed on Guadalcanal, beginning the first major Allied ground offensive in the Pacific War.
➢ Turning Point: After six months of intense fighting, Allied forces — including many Solomon Islanders — secured Guadalcanal and helping change the course of the war.
➢ Local Heroes: Solomon Islanders bravely guided Allied forces, carried messages, rescued injured Marines and Airmen, and provided critical intelligence in dugout canoes while evading Japanese patrols.
➢ Jacob Vouza: A Solomon Islander scout and war hero who endured torture but refused to betray the Allies — later knighted for his courage.
➢ Bloody Ridge (Edson’s Ridge): A small force of U.S. Marines and Solomon Island scouts held off repeated Japanese attacks in September 1942, preventing a breakthrough that could have changed the
campaign’s outcome.
➢ Ironbottom Sound: The waters around Guadalcanal earned this name because of the dozens of sunken ships and aircraft from both Allied and Japanese forces that remain on the seafloor.
Shared Sacrifice
➢ Thousands of U.S. service members and Solomon Islanders lost their lives during the Guadalcanal campaign.
➢ When building the Guadalcanal American Memorial, the U.S. Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency found remains of American service members still resting in Solomon Islands soil. This solemn discovery reminds us that the cost of freedom lives on in Solomon Islands soil, a symbol of shared sacrifice.
➢ To this day, U.S. teams continue working with Solomon Islands communities to recover and honor those who never came home.
The Visit
➢ U.S. Marines with Marine Rotational Force – Darwin deployed to Australia are here to honor this shared history.
➢ The campaign forged lasting ties between the U.S. and Solomon Islands; modern U.S. Marines visiting today are the descendants of those who fought there.
