On February 3, 1942, Edward Ahrens joined the U.S. Marine Corps in Cincinnati, Ohio. After he enlisted, he went to training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina.
Heading To Guadalcanal
Once PFC. Ahrens finished boot camp. He was sent to the Marine Barracks Quantico, Virginia. On March 16, 1942, he was placed with Company "A," 1st Raider Battalion, Fleet Marine Force.
The unit was sent to Tulagi, Guadalcanal, in the British Solomon Islands. The unit from the USS Little was a part of the second wave on August 7, 1942.
Company "C," 1st Raider Battalion secured the right side of the beach while Company "A" moved into the interior of the island toward the right side of Tulagi's central ridge. The Marines did not get much push back in the beginning.
Under Attack
Company "A" took up the west side of a cricket ground for the evening. However, the Marines were not unopposed for long. The Japanese attacked them at night, separating Company "A" and Company "C."
The company on the beachside was completely isolated. The Japanese decided to hit Company "A" with everything they had. The Raider Battalion used an old British government building as their command center, and there they held their ground.
Ahren was a part of a security detachment during the battle. His job was to protect the right flank. During the nighttime attack, Ahrens fought against the Japanese in hand-to-hand combat.
Holding His Own
Major Lee Walt assessed the lines in the morning, taking account of their losses.
“I came across a foxhole occupied by Private First Class Ahrens, a small man of about 140 pounds… He was slumped in one corner of the foxhole covered with blood from head to foot. In the foxhole with him were two dead Japs, a lieutenant and a sergeant. There were eleven more dead Japs on the ground in front of his position. In his hands he clutched the dead officer’s sword.”
Major Lee Walt
Ahrens had multiple stab wounds and gunshot injuries. According to Walt, Ahren's last words were, "The idiot tried to come over me last night-I guess they didn't know I was a Marine."
Twenty-two-year-old Ahren died in Major Walt's arms. For his bravery in World War II, Ahrens was given the Navy Cross.
Thanks Meg Swinney for showcasing a REAL American hero.
This is what our great country is made of. I love the military and pray for them along with the Police and all other first responders, but this young man was a true hero.
All active duty personnel and veterans, including family members, support you and the likes of you that support, and supported us.
Bravo Zulu from a sailor. Semper Fi a job well done marine!
He was robbed. He deserved the Congressional Medal of Honor.
He absolutely deserved the Medal of Honor. If not then, why not now posthumously?
This type of man reminds me why I enlisted, when the world gets me down and I wonder why I enlisted in the first place. Thanx for the remembrance, I needed it.
I HOPE THIS BRAVE YOUNG MAN HAS BEEN REWARDED FOR THE SERVICE AND SACRIFICES HE MADE FOR AMERICA AND AMERICANS. MAY GOD BLESS HIM. It makes me so sad to see modern generations take so lightly and even scorn the blood that has been shed for the freedoms they take so lightly !!!
Docustory fodder alone Must tell
I have read in several places that President Roosevelt knew about the attack at Pearl Harbor at least a week before the actual attack and didn’t forward the information. Sure would like to know if that was true.
About 30 years ago I had read a book explaining the lead up to Pearl Harbor. In that book were photos of British teletype notices to the White House warning that a Japanese fleet had departed Japan and were heading northeast. This was about a week before the Pearl Harbor attack. The White House didn't acknowledge the teletype. Roosevelt knew the attack was coming and apparently wanted it to happen
We all know how fake movies are but in the movie Tora Tora Tora they show how he was warned numerous times and failed to act .
This was when kids acted like men and were very brave and loved our country willing to give their life to protect it .where did they go ?
As an x MARINE of 51 years ago I wish there are some out there but I wonder why his family was not giving the medal of honor Semper Fi To all service men and ladies serving our USA May God Bless you
An X marine , no . once a marine always a Marine . I consider myself a former Marine in that I served honorably and discharged
They have become globalist puppet, libby snow flake sheep .
This is an awesome article. I loved it. I am retired Army and my sons are Marines and my brother was a Marine. I hear all the Marine stories and this is one story they need to tell. PFC Ahrens was the ultimate Marine... Someone his family and Our Country could be so proud of. I salute him. Great story.
Private First Class Ahrens is in my opinion a True Hero and should have received the Congressional Medal of Honor !