On the morning of Saturday, November 20, 1943, the 2d Marine Division undertook the first modern amphibious assault against a well-defended beachhead. The objective was tiny Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll, and the going was supposed to be easya target already pounded into coral dust by a massive naval and air bombardment. But what the Marines discovered was an island garrison alive and well, the Japanese defenses intact and manned by foes who would rather die than surrender. The battle that followed three full days of terror during which more than 3,000 died to secure an island half the size of New York's Central Park is fully told in words and pictures in this dramatic book.

Originally published: Pacifica, Calif.: Pacifica, 1998.

Pacific Ocean Area -- Tarawa Atoll -- Guide To Map Symbols -- Betio Island -- Beach Red-1 -- Beach Red-2 -- Beach Red-3 -- Part I Before 1 -- Part II D-Day 35 -- Part III Second Day 149 -- Part IV Third Day 209 -- Part V Last Day 253 -- A A Word About Organization 261 -- B 2d Marine Division Staff and Command Lists 263 -- C U.S. Naval Forces at Tarawa 273 -- D Medal of Honor Citations 275 -- E Navy Cross Recipients 285.