United States Marine Corps 4th Defense Battalion
Cachets should be listed in chronological order based on earliest known usage. Use the postmark date or best guess. This applies to add-on cachets as well.
HISTORICAL NOTE
The 4th Defense Battalion was commissioned on 1 February 1940 at MCRD Parris Island, SC. The battalion departed the US in February 1941 bound for Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and in October 1941 it boarded ships headed for Hawaii. The 4th Defense Battalion departed Pearl Harbor and on 29 March 1942 came ashore on Efate in the New Hebrides. In March 1943 the battalion departed Efate and sailed for New Zealand to rest and conduct additional training. It departed New Zealand in July 1943 and arrived at Guadalcanal on 30 July 1943. The battalion was re-designated as the 4th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion on 15 May 1944. On 9 June 1945 the 4th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion was decommissioned.
The Battalion served at these locations - Parris Island SC; Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; Midway Island; New Hebrides Islands; New Zealand; Guadalcanal; Vella Lavella; Peleliu and Okinawa. The Battalion earned the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal w/ 2 bronze stars and the World War II Victory Medal.
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1940-11-09 |
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First Day of Postal Service |
The 4th Defense Battalion was commissioned on 1 February 1940 at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, SC.
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1941-02-08 |
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Collectors request |
The 4th Defense Battalion was at Guantanamo Bay Cuba from February to October 1941.
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1941-02-08 |
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Collectors request |
The 4th Defense Battalion was at Guantanamo Bay Cuba from February to October 1941.
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N/A |
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1941-02-08 |
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Collectors request |
The 4th Defense Battalion was at Guantanamo Bay Cuba from February to October 1941.
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N/A |
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1941-02-08 |
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Collectors request |
The 4th Defense Battalion was at Guantanamo Bay Cuba from February to October 1941.
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